Investigators have found a higher rate of mortality among patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities diagnosed with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or lung cancer, according to a recent study published by Hansford et al in the Canadian Journal of Public Health. Study Methods and...
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Kristen D. Brantley, PhD, MPH, and colleagues identified the risk of a second primary breast cancer among survivors of breast cancer diagnosed at age 40 or younger, including among women with and without germline pathogenic variants. Study Details The study...
William J. Gradishar, MD, of Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, details the fundamental shift in how clinicians now treat patients with endocrine-sensitive breast cancer, both advanced and early stage, by pairing antihormonal therapy with targeted treatment.
Investigators have uncovered persistent inequities in breast cancer that may systematically leave many patients behind in spite of recent improvements in research, treatment, and survival, according to a recent report from The Lancet Breast Cancer Commission. These findings were published by Coles...
Success stories in research, advocacy, and education from low- and middle-income countries deserve international recognition to motivate the next generation of researchers and practitioners and enrich global oncology. I recently had the privilege to speak with Ouissam Al Jarroudi, MD, about her...
In the phase II PHERGain trial reported in The Lancet, Pérez-García et al found that a positron-emission tomography (PET)-based, pathologic complete response (pCR)-adapted treatment strategy produced “excellent” 3-year invasive disease–free survival results in patients with HER2-positive early...
As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by de Boniface et al, the phase III SENOMAC trial showed noninferiority in recurrence-free survival with sentinel node biopsy alone vs completion axillary node dissection in patients with breast cancer and sentinel node metastases. Study Details In ...
The novel poly-ADP ribose polymerase-1 (PARP1)-selective inhibitor saruparib demonstrated early efficacy and a favorable safety profile in patients with homologous recombination repair (HRR)-deficient breast cancer, according to new findings presented by Yap et al at the American Association for...
Judy C. Boughey, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, discusses findings from the I-SPY2 trial, which show that although the extent of residual disease and tumor biology in patients with breast cancer may impact outcomes, the type of axillary surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not (Abstract 3).
Kerollos N. Wanis, MD, PhD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses a study in which he evaluated the risk of future ipsilateral and contralateral breast cancer events in a large cohort of patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations who chose breast conservation (Abstract 12).
Artificial intelligence (AI)—computational analytics with routine imaging via radiology or pathology—can advance precision medicine in breast cancer, specifically by predicting response to therapy and calculating prognosis, according to a pioneer in the field, Anant Madabhushi, PhD, of Emory...
In the phase II PACE trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Erica L. Mayer, MD, MPH, and colleagues found no improvement in progression-free survival with the addition of palbociclib to fulvestrant—but a numeric improvement with the further addition of avelumab—in patients with hormone ...
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Layman et al, findings in dose-expansion groups of a phase Ib trial indicated activity of the pan-PI3K–mTOR inhibitor gedatolisib in combination with palbociclib and endocrine therapy in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative advanced...
High levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) within the tumors of patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer may be associated with a lower risk of cancer recurrence and greater rate of survival, even without chemotherapy, according to a recent study published by Leon-Ferre et...
Heather McArthur, MD, MPH, of UT Southwestern Medical Center, discusses phase III findings from the KEYNOTE-756 trial, which shows that adding pembrolizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy increases pathologic complete response (pCR) rates in patients with early-stage, high-risk, estrogen receptor–positive or HER2-negative breast cancer. (ER+/HER2−). The regimen shifted more patients to lower residual cancer burden categories (Abstract 2).
Natália Polidorio, MD, PhD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses findings on the impact of race on pathologic complete response in patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy vs chemotherapy alone. Such targeted research may potentially result in more informed treatment strategies and improved identification of those most likely to benefit (Abstract 15).
In the phase II acelERA BC trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Miguel Martín, MD, PhD, and colleagues found that the selective estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist and degrader giredestrant did not significantly improve progression-free survival vs physician’s choice of endocrine...
There is much debate about the necessity of treating women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with surgery or radiotherapy.1,2 It is disconcerting to many that patients with DCIS are treated in the same way as are women with early-stage invasive breast cancer. Many patients with DCIS have...
In a Danish single-institution phase III trial (MyHealth) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Saltbæk et al found that nurse-led individualized follow-up was associated with significantly better breast cancer–specific quality of life compared with usual care after completion of primary...
As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Dennis Slamon, MD, PhD, and colleagues, interim analysis of the phase III NATALEE trial has shown improved invasive disease–free survival with the addition of adjuvant ribociclib to a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI) in patients with...
Researchers have found that a low-dose radiotherapy boost in addition to whole-breast radiotherapy may prevent local recurrence in young patients with breast cancer, according to new findings presented by Bosma et al at the 2024 European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) (Abstract 4LBA) and...
Extensive removal of the lymph nodes may be safely avoided in patients with breast cancer that has metastasized to the axillary nodes if treatment is tailored to their response to therapies such as chemotherapy prior to surgery, according to new findings presented by van Hemert et al at the 2024...
A combined positron-emission tomography–magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI) scanning technique could improve the treatment of some patients with early-stage breast cancer, according to new findings presented by Di Micco et al at the 2024 European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) (Abstract 9) and...
The addition of atezolizumab to postsurgery chemotherapy may not benefit patients with triple-negative breast cancer, according to findings recently presented by McArthur et al at the 2024 European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC; Abstract 1LBA). Background Triple-negative breast cancer is often...
Taking part in an exercise program may improve pain, fatigue, and quality of life in patients with metastatic breast cancer, according to recent findings presented by Hiensch et al at the 2024 European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC; Abstract 1). Background “Although there’s been quite a lot of...
A novel genetic test may predict how patients with triple-negative early-stage breast cancer will respond to immunotherapy, according to new findings presented by Wolf et al at the 2024 European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) (Abstract 2LBA). The research may help patients who are unlikely to...
The addition of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to chemotherapy prior to and following surgery may lead to improved outcomes in patients with breast cancer regardless of their age or menopausal status, according to new findings presented by Cardoso et al at the 2024 European Breast Cancer...
ASCO has released a new guideline on the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer in resource-constrained settings, where maximal setting–recommended treatments are not available.1 The guideline, designed for clinicians, policymakers, and patients, provides stratified recommendations...
Investigators may have identified a decrease in newly diagnosed breast cancer cases during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent study published by Fefferman et al in Cancer Medicine. The findings highlight that breast cancer was not immune to pandemic-related stressors and ...
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, and colleagues, final results of the phase III ASCENT trial showed continued superior progression-free and overall survival with sacituzumab govitecan-hziy, an anti–trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (Trop-2) antibody-drug...
Patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) may have a greater risk of overall and specific complications following autologous breast reconstruction, according to a recent study published by Barnes et al in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Background Autologous breast reconstruction—an...
ASCO in partnership with the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) has released a new guideline addressing recommendations in germline testing in patients with breast cancer.1 The guideline provides oncologists with a framework for how to approach germline testing and recommendations for who should be ...
In an Indian single-center phase III trial (D-TORCH) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Santhosh et al found that topical diclofenac gel significantly reduced the risk of capecitabine-associated hand-foot syndrome vs placebo gel in patients with breast or gastrointestinal cancer who were ...
Newly published study results revealed that use of the Breast Cancer Index (BCI) test led to physicians changing their long-term antiestrogen treatment recommendations for 40% of patients with early-stage hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. The results, which suggest that many women may be...
Researchers have uncovered distinct alterations in the tumor genome of male patients with breast cancer that may suggest potential therapeutic targets, according to a recent study published by Assaad et al in Modern Pathology. Background Breast cancer in male patients represents less than 1% of all ...
This is Part 3 of Targeting Endocrine Resistance in HR-Positive/HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer, a three-part video roundtable series. Scroll down to watch the other videos from this Roundtable. In this video, Drs. Kevin Kalinsky, Manali Bhave, and Ruth O’Regan discuss the treatment of endocrine-resistant hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. The patient is a 61-year-old postmenopausal female who was initially diagnosed with stage IB, ER-positive, PR-positive, HER2 IHC 1+, histologic grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. She was treated with lumpectomy and radiotherapy followed by nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor for 4.5 years of therapy, during which her disease progressed. Further imaging reveals multiple bone and liver lesions. Her liver lesion is biopsied and found to be invasive ductal carcinoma, ER/PR 50%, and HER2 IHC 1+. She receives fulvestrant and ribociclib for 4 months, and then experiences new shortness of breath due to lymphangitic spread. A ctDNA reveals a pathogenic PIK3CA H1047R mutation and ESR1 D538G mutation. The faculty discuss next steps for a symptomatic patient such as this with pathogenic mutations, sequencing of antibody-drug conjugates, and how best to manage and monitor for toxicities.
This is Part 2 of Targeting Endocrine Resistance in HR-Positive/HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer, a three-part video roundtable series. Scroll down to watch the other videos from this Roundtable. In this video, Drs. Kevin Kalinsky, Manali Bhave, and Ruth O’Regan discuss the treatment of hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer with a PIK3CA mutation. The patient is a 62-year-old postmenopausal female who is diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma that is metastatic to lung, liver, and bone. Her tumor is ER and PR strongly positive and HER2-low. After 12 months of treatment with ribociclib plus an aromatase inhibitor, she has progressive disease in her liver. Biomarker testing reveals a pathogenic PIK3CA H1047R mutation. The faculty discuss how PIK3CA and AKT pathway alterations impact treatment decision making, the clinical implications of the CAPItello-291 study, and how to approach patients who do not have targetable mutations.
This is Part 1 of Targeting Endocrine Resistance in HR-Positive/HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer, a three-part video roundtable series. Scroll down to watch the other videos from this Roundtable. In this video, Drs. Kevin Kalinsky, Manali Bhave, and Ruth O’Regan discuss the treatment of metastatic hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated breast cancer after progression on a CDK4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy. The patient is a 42-year-old premenopausal healthy female originally diagnosed with grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma that is ER and PR strongly positive and HER2 0. She receives ribociclib plus an aromatase inhibitor and develops progressive disease after almost 3 years on therapy. Genetic testing reveals a pathogenic ESR1 Y537S mutation. In the conversation that follows, the faculty discuss the role of single-agent elacestrant in patients with acquired ESR1 mutations, the impact of prior treatment duration on second-line therapy, and whether combination strategies should be considered.
Investigators may have uncovered the social determinants of health hindering breast cancer screening in the United States, according to a recent systematic review published by Jhumkhawala et al in Frontiers in Public Health. Background Health disparities have consistently been associated with...
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Woriax et al identified racial/ethnic differences in pathologic complete response rates and overall survival among women with triple-negative breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Study Details The study involved data from the...
In an analysis reported in JAMA Network Open, Jacob K. Kresovich, PhD, and colleagues identified differences in circulating leukocyte subsets between women who were diagnosed and treated for breast cancer vs those not diagnosed with breast cancer. As stated by the investigators: “Changes in...
Investigators have found that U.S. individuals with a history of incarceration may have worse access to and receipt of breast cancer and colorectal cancer screenings compared with those without a history of incarceration, according to a recent study published by Zhao et al in JAMA Health Forum....
In a Dutch study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Neppelenbroek et al found that doxorubicin treatment was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer among adolescent and adult Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. Study Details The study involved a cohort of 1,964 female 5-year Hodgkin...
Studies presented at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) significantly moved the needle forward in our treatment of breast cancer. We are increasingly learning how to stratify risk, so we can optimize therapy and minimize our patients’ exposure to treatments that will not be...
Although current ASCO guidelines recommend exercise for patients with breast cancer during adjuvant therapy with curative intent, the guidelines state that more study is needed regarding the effects of exercise for patients with metastatic breast cancer. The results of the PREFERABLE-EFFECT trial...
It may be possible for some patients with breast cancer to avoid adjuvant regional nodal irradiation safely, according to the results of the NRG Oncology/NSABP B-51/RTOG 1304 clinical trial presented at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.1 These findings particularly apply to patients...
Investigators used low recurrence scores on a genomic assay as guidance for selection of favorable-risk patients, and they found most postmenopausal patients (aged 50–69) with stage I hormone receptor–positive breast cancer who omitted adjuvant radiation therapy but continued endocrine therapy for...
Invited discussant Laura Huppert, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco, Comprehensive Cancer Center, focused her remarks on the need for biomarkers for selection of immunotherapy as part of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. “Hormone...
Pembrolizumab added to neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab plus endocrine therapy improved pathologic complete responses in patients with early-stage, high-risk, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, according to updated results of the phase III...
At a median follow-up of 8.4 years, adjuvant use of ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) continued to improve invasive disease–free survival and overall survival compared with trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer with residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant therapy. These ...