October 13th marks Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals battling this devastating disease. In a world where hope is a precious commodity, a beacon of optimism shines bright in the form of the AURORA academic research program. Spearheaded by the Breast International Group (BIG), AURORA is an international effort to unravel the mysteries of metastatic breast cancer and bring us one step closer to a cure.
AURORA 2.0 represents the latest phase in the journey to comprehend and combat metastatic breast cancer. The expansion of the AURORA study places its emphasis on specific types of breast cancer, as these demand heightened attention: triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), and patients facing late relapses. A total of 252 patients will be included and closely monitored for up to five years, allowing a deeper insight into these particular breast cancer subtypes. AURORA 2. is also a testament to international collaboration, uniting 17 hospitals from seven BIG research groups spanning eight different European countries. The study team is finalising documentation for site activation and the resumption of patient recruitment, with the first patient expected to be included by the end of the last quarter of 2023.
Within the AURORA program, the Core Data Analysis Committee, composed of bioinformaticians and clinical experts, is driving progress. In 2023 several publications shedded light on different aspects of metastatic breast cancer. In December 2023, during the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, several presentations will take place, highlighting different analyses from AURORA Moreover, the much-anticipated second main manuscript for AURORA, incorporating data from the entire cohort of 1156 patients from the first phase, is on track for publication in 2024.
As we commemorate Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, AURORA stands as a beacon of hope for patients and researchers worldwide. With the long-standing collaboration with the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and strong support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), AURORA underscores the potency of unified action in our tireless pursuit of improved comprehension of, of metastatic breast cancer, which can ultimately lead to better treatments and cure. AURORA 2.0 signifies a new chapter in this enduring quest, bringing us one step closer to the day when we can conquer this devastating disease and save countless lives.
