The science behind the case
An uncommon breast cancer that behaves like two diseases at once. Here, explained without jargon.
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Simple summary
The case, in plain language
No jargon: what's happening to Miriam, why her case is different, and what's needed now.
What exactly does she have?
A breast cancer that has spread to the bones. What's uncommon is that it behaves like two diseases at once: partly like a hormone-driven breast cancer, and largely like a different type (neuroendocrine). They're like two sides of the same tumor.
Why isn't standard treatment enough?
Protocols treat it as an ordinary breast cancer and target only one of its two sides. The other is left untreated, and the tumor finds a way to keep advancing.
Is there a way to target it?
Yes. Analysis of the tumor has found specific "weak points" that could be treated with targeted therapies. These are promising hypotheses, not a guaranteed cure: that's why they must be confirmed before acting.
What's needed now?
A new biopsy with an advanced molecular analysis to confirm those weak points and design a treatment tailored to her. That's what the campaign funds.
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The tumor, in schematic form
One tumor, two faces
It is not one tumor: it is two biologies in the same body, and both must be treated at once.
Tumor schematic. Luminal breast, the known part: HR+ receptors, HER2 negative, an 11q13 amplicon (FGFR1 ×13, CCND1 ×20, FGF3/4/19 ×18) and an ESR1 mutation in ctDNA. Neuroendocrine differentiation (Cg/Syn in ~80% of cells), barely known: loss of RB1 (a brake that is being lost) and SSTR2 receptors, the PRRT target. Block one side and it escapes through the other; it must be treated as a whole.
Goal
Goal: N-of-1 Trial
A clinical trial with one patient. Therapeutic decisions are designed on the tumor's actual molecular profile, not on a generic HR+ average. The path: rebiopsy with advanced panel → review at WIN Consortium international MTB → molecularly-directed N-of-1 treatment.
WIN Consortium (Worldwide Innovative Network in Oncology) connects precision-oncology centers of excellence to design individualized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
A precedent: precision oncology decided on the patient's molecular data, not on the tumor's label.
How to help
Every analysis depends on funding
You've just seen why this case is different. Every contribution funds the next analysis: the one that unlocks the next decision —rebiopsy, sequencing, international second opinions.
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Last updated: 14 June 2026