MammaPrint

MammaPrint^® is a tumor profiling test that helps predict how likely some estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancers are to metastasize (spread to other organs).

Tumor profiling

Tumor profiling tests give information about the genes in cancer cells. These genes are in the tumor cells, not in the normal (non-cancer) cells in a person’s body.

Tumor profiling tests look at patterns of expression for a set of genes in a sample of the tumor removed during a biopsy or surgery.

Tumor profiling may also be called genomic testing, molecular profiling or genetic signature testing.

MammaPrint testing

MammaPrint tests a sample of the tumor (removed during a biopsy or surgery) for a group of 70 genes. These genes are in the tumor cells, not in the normal (non-cancer) cells in a person’s body.

The results of the MammaPrint test help predict the chance of metastasis for some estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancers.

MammaPrint results

MammaPrint results show a high risk of metastasis

For some women ages 51 and older, if the MammaPrint results show a fairly high risk of metastasis, a more aggressive treatment plan that includes both hormone therapy and chemotherapy may be advised [85].

For women ages 50 and younger, it’s unclear if a benefit of adding chemotherapy is due to the chemotherapy or the ovarian suppression caused by the chemotherapy [10,85].

MammaPrint results show a low risk of metastasis

If the MammaPrint results show a low risk of metastasis, chemotherapy may not be needed, and the use of hormone therapy alone is standard of care [10].

In this way, MammaPrint may help some people with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer avoid chemotherapy and its side effects.

When can MammaPrint be used?

MammaPrint helps predict the chance of metastasis for some breast cancers at high clinical risk of recurrence, based on estrogen receptor status, HER2 status, tumor grade, lymph node status and tumor size [85,328].

MammaPrint can be used for breast cancers at high clinical risk (based on estrogen receptor status, HER2 status, tumor grade, lymph node status and tumor size) that are all of the following [85,328]:

• Tumor size no larger than 5 cm (or if larger, can be removed with surgery)
• Estrogen receptor-positive (and will be treated with hormone therapy)
• HER2-negative
• Lymph node-negative or lymph node-positive with 1-3 positive nodes

Learn more about factors that affect prognosis and treatment, such as estrogen receptor status.

Updated 04/11/24