Adding the oncolytic virus immunotherapy pelareorep to paclitaxel chemotherapy warrants further investigation in patients with HR+ HER2- metastatic breast cancer whose disease has progressed after standard first-line treatment, according to PrECOG, LLC, the cancer research group that investigated the combination in the BRACELET-1 (PrECOG 0113) randomized phase 2 trial. 

New research findings shows that specific bacteria in patients’ gut microbiome correlate with biomarkers that suggest they are at greater risk of heart damage during chemotherapy.  

98 women over the age of 60 diagnosed with breast cancer were tested for biomarkers that indicate heart health and their gut bacteria genome was sequenced before chemotherapy. 

This study is part of a wider project called CARDIOCARE which will allow the research to expand to a larger study of 600 women to confirm the finding. This work offers the hope that tailored probiotics could be used to help protect women from the heart side-effects of chemotherapy in future. 

CARDIOCARE is pioneering a patient-centered, AI-powered healthcare model that integrates cardiology, oncology, psychology, digital health, and real-world data to proactively manage cardiotoxicity and quality of life in elderly breast cancer patients with multiple chronic conditions 

The clinical trial combines multimodal data streams — including wearable sensors, imaging, biomarkers, and patient-reported outcomes — into explainable AI-driven risk models that enable dynamic, personalized care planning throughout the entire cancer care journey. 

With over 600 patients recruited and strong clinical acceptance across Europe, CARDIOCARE is building the foundations for a scalable, ethically governed, and sustainable cardio-oncology care framework that could transform clinical practice, policy, and patient outcomes.