The Aurora US biospecimen resource study aims to find solutions to breast cancer metastasis.
AURORA US is part of a larger initiative funded by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to find solutions to breast cancer metastasis. This unprecedented effort, named collectively the BCRF Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund for Metastatic Breast Cancer Research, brings together researchers from around the world to tackle the biggest challenge in breast cancer. Learn more.
By sharing treatment records and tissue samples, participants are helping future patients live longer. Participants will also receive clinical information about their tumors, helping to guide their own treatment.
Aurora US researchers are using cutting-edge science to understand how cancer spreads and determine why people respond differently to treatments. This knowledge may help future patients with breast cancer live longer.
Understanding how tumors respond to specific treatments is key to improving the lives of patients. Knowledge gained in this study will guide future improvements to the way we treat patients with metastatic breast cancer.
“This study is really about biology, not about giving a drug blindly to patients. It will help us to understand why the disease is evolving, so we can stop it ahead of time. This is what’s going to take us to the next step to improve our understanding of metastatic breast cancer.”
Minetta Liu, MD
Professor and Research Chair, Department of Oncology
Mayo Clinic
What is Aurora US?
Aurora US is a clinical study, not a treatment trial, that will collect biospecimens from patient volunteers who have received a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer after having been treated for early stage breast cancer.
Why is Aurora US being done?
- Metastatic breast cancer is currently incurable. In order to better understand how and why breast cancers spread and to develop better treatments for patients diagnosed with MBC, researchers will perform analyses on samples of primary (original) and metastatic tumors and combine this with treatment information from participants.
- The findings of this study may help future patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Who can participate?
You can participate in this study if:
- You have metastatic breast cancer that has spread beyond your breast after
treatment for early stage breast cancer. - Breast tumor tissue from your primary breast cancer at the time of original
diagnosis is available to be tested. - Tumor tissue from your metastatic breast cancer is available to be tested or
you are scheduled to have a biopsy of your metastatic tumor. - You agree to genetic testing of your tumor tissue.
What do I need to do during the study?
If you choose to participate in this study, you will be asked to give permission to:
- Collect stored tissue samples (cancer tissue and normal tissue from the original cancer in your breast)
- Collect new tissue samples (cancer tissue and normal tissue from the site(s) of breast cancer recurrence or metastasis)
- Obtain blood samples
- Collect information from your medial record
- Re-contact you for consideration of future studies (optional)
Once enrolled in the study, you may have to undergo a biopsy of your metastatic tumor. This may have been scheduled by your doctor as part of your normal care.
Are there side effects?
Your medical team will explain and discuss possible side effects that you may experience while on this study.
How much will it cost?
There may be costs to you. You are responsible for all co-pays and deductibles according to your insurance plans for your normal cancer care. Any exams or procedures done for research purposes will not be billed to you or your insurance company. Please ask a member of the study team at your study site about all related study costs.
Who is conducting Aurora US?
The AURORA US clinical study is being led by a team of experienced researchers who take care of breast cancer patients in institutions across the United States. AURORA is funded by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through the Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund. Learn more at BCRF.org.
Where can I find out more about Aurora US?
E-mail Aurora US at aurorainfo@tbcrc.org.
The mission of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research.
The Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium is a collaborative group founded to conduct innovative and high-impact clinical trials for breast cancer.
The mission of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research.
The Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium is a collaborative group founded to conduct innovative and high-impact clinical trials for breast cancer.