For younger women, breast cancer is known to be more aggressive compared with older women. In the United States, about 25 percent of breast cancers are diagnosed in women who have not reached menopause.

A clinical trial of a new targeted therapy has now been shown to prolong the lives of women with advanced breast cancer whose disease started before or during menopause.

Sylvia Adams, MD, director of clinical research for the Breast Cancer Disease Management Group at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center and professor in the Department of Medicine, tells The New York Times the study is “wonderful news” and “a very important milestone.”

“It’s a trial worth highlighting, as there have been very few studies in advanced breast cancer in general showing a clear survival benefit,” adds Dr. Adams, who was not involved in the study.

Read more from The New York Times.