The purpose of the Developing Understanding of the Environment of Disseminated Tumor Cells (DUET) study is to identify new ways of preventing breast cancer patients from dying of their disease. In particular this study is focused on understanding why some breast cancer patients go on to develop a recurrence of their cancer and others do not.
This research is done by collecting information and specimens from recently diagnosed breast cancer patients. A major focus is determining how the presence of cancer cells in bones at the time of diagnosis can contribute to the development of a cancer recurrence years later.
This study is being done in collaboration with the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Washington University in St. Louis and the University of San Francisco.
Patients Who are Eligible to Participate:
- Recently diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer
- Will receive surgery at UW Medical Center or UW Medical Center – Northwest, Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, or Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri
Please find the study information in Spanish.
What Participation in the DUET Study Involves:
- Patients agree to donate a portion of their cancer tissue removed at the time of their surgery for research.
- Patients agree to allow us to conduct a bone marrow biopsy and aspirate.
- Patients are invited to donate a blood sample and complete a questionnaire annually for up to 9 years (providing these samples and completing these questionnaires is optional).
- Patients consent to allow our study team to review their medical records related to their cancer diagnosis and all of the treatments they receive.
- We offer a modest compensation at each time point for completion of study activities.
Why Be a Part of DUET?
- Participants provide essential information to this research. The more women who accept this invitation to participate, the more we may learn about why some breast cancer survivors develop a recurrence of their cancer years after their initial diagnosis and others do not.
Important Notes
- Although the study will not benefit participants directly, we hope the information we learn will improve our knowledge about breast cancer recurrences and help future patients by, for example, providing information that will help us develop novel treatments to prevent women from dying of breast cancer.
- Participation will not affect your medical care and is voluntary and confidential.
Breast Cancer Facts
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with over 1.6 million new cases diagnosed annually.
- The United States has one of the highest incidence rates of breast cancer in the world, and within the U.S., women in the state of Washington have one of the highest incidence rates in the nation.
Nearly all breast cancer deaths are due to the development of a recurrence of the cancer, which can occur several years after initial diagnosis and treatment.
For more facts and information on breast cancer, please visit Breast Cancer Advocacy at the National Breast Cancer Coalition.
For More Information, Please Follow These Links
First Lady Jill Biden: 'Your work will change and save lives'
MET-X research lab tour and Cancer Moonshot ‘listening session’ on survivorship and pediatric cancer highlight First Lady's visit to Fred Hutch
September 25, 2023
Hear more on First Lady Jill Biden visits Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle | king5.com
Fred Hutch launches MET-X, a ‘transformative approach to metastatic disease’
New Center for Metastasis Research Excellence aims to detect, prevent, treat and cure stage 4 solid tumor cancers
February 3, 2023
Read more on the Center for Metastasis Research eXcellence (MET-X)
Hutch scientists receive $25M to solve breast cancer metastasis
New collaboration will target dormant tumor cells, keeping them asleep (or killing them) so they won’t spread
July 27, 2022
DUET Investigators
Christopher Li, MD, PhD
Tracy Onega, PhD
Adentunji Toriola, MD, PhD
DUET Study Staff and Collaborators
Contact Us
Contact us if you have questions or need additional information about the DUET study.