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New findings from the phase III INAVO120 trial showed that adding inavolisib to palbociclib and fulvestrant may help extend survival and delay the time until treatment with chemotherapy in previously treated patients with PIK3CA-mutated, HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. The...
The accuracy of HER2 breast cancer scoring improved with the use of AI assistance, especially for patients with low and ultralow levels of HER2 expression, results from a multinational study showed. The findings were presented in a press briefing ahead of the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract...
Abbreviated breast MRI scans demonstrated comparable diagnostic accuracy to full multiparametric protocol MRI scans for women with extremely dense breasts, according to findings from the DENSE trial published in Radiology. MRI scans have greater diagnostic accuracy than mammograms for women with...
In an international cohort study reported in The Lancet Oncology, Blondeaux et al evaluated whether both risk-reducing mastectomy and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy were associated with improved survival among women aged 40 or younger who have invasive breast cancer with germline BRCA1/2...
Investigators have identified two genetic risk loci that may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer for Black South African women, according to findings from a genome-wide association study published in Nature Communications. The two risk loci were between UNC13C and RAB27A on...
Investigators from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) identified changes in stromal breast tissue, called stromal disruption, that may help to identify women with a higher risk of developing breast cancer, according to study findings published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Women ...
In a German phase II trial (WSG-KEYRICHED-1) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Kuemmel et al evaluated whether chemotherapy-free neoadjuvant therapy with pembrolizumab plus trastuzumab/pertuzumab showed activity in patients with HER2-enriched early breast cancer. As stated by the investigators:...
In a phase II trial (PALMIRA) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Llombart-Cussac et al evaluated whether palbociclib rechallenge with second-line alternative endocrine therapy may improve progression-free survival vs second-line alternative endocrine therapy alone. Study Details In the...
In a phase IIa study reported in The Lancet Oncology, Escrivá-de-Romani et al evaluated whether the chemotherapy-free triplet of the HER2-targeted bispecific antibody zanidatamab plus palbociclib and fulvestrant showed activity in heavily pretreated patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive,...
Six parenchymal phenotypes were established that may be associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Studies of these phenotypes identified by radiomics on mammograms demonstrated that these patterns were associated with an increased risk of invasive breast cancer, according to...
For postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated with breast-conserving surgery, whole-breast irradiation, and adjuvant endocrine therapy, reexcision to achieve wider surgical margins (≥ 1 mm or ≥ 2 mm) may not be necessary, according to data presented ...
Patients with a history of breast cancer who are carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants benefit from undergoing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, the results of a retrospective cohort study published in The Lancet Oncology showed. Women who had their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed...
Investigators have found that the risk of developing breast cancer could be nearly three times higher among women who experience notable weight gain after the age of 20 years and either give birth after age 30 or don’t have children compared with those who give birth before age 30 and whose weight...
When screening for breast cancer, the most effective strategy to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) may involve collaboration with human radiologists, according to a recent study published by Ahsen et al in Nature Communications. The findings could help shape how hospitals and clinics integrate...
A 1-week course of postsurgery radiotherapy demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy to the traditional 3-week regimen in patients with early-stage breast cancer, according to new findings presented by Brunt et al at the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) 2025 Annual Meeting...
Despite steady increases in the rates of immediate postmastectomy breast reconstruction, racial disparities in receipt of the procedure have persisted in the years since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to a recent study published by Schafer et al in Plastic and...
Breast cancer deaths among women between the ages of 20 and 49 declined significantly across all breast cancer subtypes and racial/ethnic groups from 2010 to 2020, with marked declines starting after 2016, according to an analysis of data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)...
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Choong et al found that omission of endocrine therapy in patients with estrogen receptor–low (1%–10% on immunohistochemistry), early-stage breast cancer was not associated with improved survival outcomes. The study used National Cancer...
In late January 2013, while playing with my young son, I noticed my left breast seemed slightly larger than my right breast. Although, at the time, I had no idea this type of swelling is a hallmark of inflammatory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive disease, I immediately made an appointment with...
A survey study has shown cautious patient support for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a second reader in screening mammograms, according to results published in Radiology: Imaging Center. The study authors sought to determine the sentiments of patients regarding AI use in mammogram...
New protocols for endocrine tumors and updated existing protocols for breast cancer diagnoses are now available from the College of American Pathologists (CAP). These and other updates to protocols reflect the latest scientific advancements, ensuring that pathology reports provide oncologists with...
Breast cancer survivors with metabolic syndrome may have an elevated likelihood of breast cancer recurrence and subsequent breast cancer–related mortality, according to new findings to be presented by Harborg et al at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) 2025, taking place between May 11 and 14...
Hope S. Rugo, MD, FASCO, recently joined the staff of City of Hope as the new Director of the Women’s Cancers Program, Division Chief of Breast Medical Oncology, and Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research. In her role, she will lead and enhance City of Hope’s...
Various tests, ranging from a tape measure to sophisticated imaging technology, show low to moderate agreement in diagnosing breast cancer–related lymphedema, according to a recent study published by Brunelle et al in Rehabilitation Oncology. Background Breast cancer–related lymphedema is...
The results of a longitudinal cohort study published in JAMA suggest that frailty following adjuvant chemotherapy may be associated with long-term survival among older women with nonmetastatic breast cancer. Women who experienced rapid frailty progression, or nonresilience, following their...
Many patients who are eligible for lung cancer screening do not receive it, but do receive preventative screenings for other cancer types, according to the results of a new study published by Potter et al in JAMA. Background Although lung cancer screening is recommended for certain individuals...
Postmastectomy radiation therapy may be significantly shortened for many patients planning breast reconstruction, according to data from a large phase III trial (RT CHARM, Alliance A221505).1 Investigators reported that hypofractionated (short-course) radiation therapy was found to be noninferior...
An increasing proportion of the U.S. public may be aware of the link between consuming alcohol and the elevated risk of later developing cancer, according to a recent survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC). Background On January 3, 2025, Vivek...
Breast-conserving therapy, including radiation therapy, could lead to a progressive reduction in breast size over time among women with early-stage breast cancer, according to a recent study published by Becker et al in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Background Breast-conserving...
Investigators found that individuals who engaged in light- and moderate-to-vigorous–intensity physical activity daily had a lower risk of developing cancer compared with those who were more sedentary, according to a recent study published by Shreves et al in the British Journal of Sports Medicine....
In a French study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Dumas et al found that improved endocrine therapy (ET) persistence among young patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive early breast cancer would likely lead to improved disease-free survival. Study Details The study used data from ...
Waiting more than 42 days postdiagnosis to undergo surgery could increase the risk of cancer-related mortality among patients with certain breast cancer subtypes, according to a recent study published by Salewon et al in Breast Cancer Research. Background Hormone receptor–positive and HER2-negative ...
This is Part 1 of PI3K Inhibition Strategies for 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. Adam Brufsky, Heather McArthur, and Seth Wander discuss the first-line treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive metastatic breast cancer. The patient is a 64-year-old postmenopausal woman with a history of asymptomatic left bundle branch block and irritable bowel syndrome. In 2015, she was diagnosed with a 3.5-cm invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast with 3 positive axillary lymph nodes. She was treated with dose-dense doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel and postmastectomy radiation therapy, and then received anastrozole for 5 years, completing therapy in 2021. In 2024, she complains of worsening back pain, and PET-CT scan reveals multiple lytic lesions of the thoracic and lumbar spine, as well as a 3-cm lesion in the liver. In the conversation that follows, the faculty discuss how the treatment of HR-positive breast cancer has changed over the past decade, the appropriate duration of adjuvant endocrine therapy, what blood or biomarker tests to perform, and how to choose between doublet and triplet therapy with PI3K inhibitors.
Today’s oncologists are blessed with an abundance of therapies for HER2-positive early breast cancer, but this comes with the challenge of selecting among them. At the 2025 Miami Breast Cancer Conference, Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, FACP, offered insight on common clinical scenarios. Dr. Hurvitz is...
Arvinas, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. recently announced results from the randomized phase III VERITAC-2 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05654623) evaluating vepdegestrant monotherapy vs fulvestrant in adults with estrogen receptor–positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast...
In a German single-center trial (POLAR) reported in JAMA Oncology, Michel et al found that hand cooling and hand compression were associated with a reduced risk of taxane-induced neuropathy in women with primary breast cancer. Study Details In the trial, 101 patients enrolled at the National Center ...
In the phase II Neo-N trial reported in The Lancet Oncology, Zdenkowski et al found no apparent advantage of lead-in nivolumab in neoadjuvant therapy comprised of nivolumab/carboplatin/paclitaxel for patients with early triple-negative breast cancer. Study Details In the investigator-initiated,...
With right-sizing treatment an aim of many treatment approaches in breast cancer today, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), as well as its overtreatment, has become a potential target of change. Which patients, however, might safely forgo the current recommendations and be safely followed with active...
This is Part 3 of Evolving Paradigms in the Treatment of HR-Positive/HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer, a three-part video roundtable series. Scroll down to watch the other videos from this roundtable. In this video, Drs. Sara Tolaney, Ian Krop, and Mark Pegram discuss second-line therapy for hormone receptor (HR)-positive/HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. The patient is a 62-year-old woman who received first-line paclitaxel plus trastuzumab for de novo metastatic HR-positive/HER2-positive breast cancer. After seven cycles, she stopped paclitaxel and initiated an aromatase inhibitor plus trastuzumab plus pertuzumab plus palbociclib. She remained on therapy for approximately 3 years and then developed new liver metastases and a single brain metastasis, for which she was asymptomatic. In the conversation that follows, the faculty discuss the role of screening brain MRIs for patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, local vs systemic treatment for brain metastases, and how to approach the timing of systemic therapy with radiation.
This is Part 2 of Evolving Paradigms in the Treatment of HR-Positive/HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer, a three-part video roundtable series. Scroll down to watch the other videos from this roundtable. In this video, Drs. Sara Tolaney, Ian Krop, and Mark Pegram discuss how to manage a patient following first-line induction therapy for metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive/HER2-positive breast cancer. The patient is a 62-year-old woman who had initiated therapy with weekly paclitaxel plus trastuzumab and pertuzumab for her de novo metastatic disease. She had resolution of her liver metastasis and reduction in her breast mass. After seven cycles of therapy, however, she began to experience worsening neuropathy. In the conversation that follows, the faculty discuss when to discontinue paclitaxel, clinical implications of the recently presented PATINA trial, whether palbociclib should be a standard addition to maintenance for all patients with HR-positive/HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, and more.
This is Part 1 of Evolving Paradigms in the Treatment of HR-Positive/HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer, a three-part video roundtable series. Scroll down to watch the other videos from this roundtable. In this video, Drs. Sara Tolaney, Ian Krop, and Mark Pegram discuss the treatment of de novo metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive/HER2-positive breast cancer. The patient is a 62-year-old woman who presented with a palpable right breast mass and ipsilateral axillary lymph node. Biopsy confirmed the breast mass as a high-grade invasive ductal carcinoma that was strongly hormone receptor–positive and HER2 IHC 3+. Fine-needle aspiration of the axillary node was positive, and staging studies revealed a single liver metastasis consistent with her breast primary tumor. In the conversation that follows, the faculty discuss whether there is a role for surgery or locoregional therapy in patients with de novo metastatic HR-positive/HER2-positive disease, what systemic treatment options would be appropriate, and endocrine-based options for patients with contraindications to chemotherapy.
Investigators may have uncovered the proportion of patients with inflammatory breast cancer who receive guideline-concordant care, according to a recent study published by Tadros et al in JAMA Network Open. Background Clinical practice guidelines currently recommend neoadjuvant systemic therapy...
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Veenstra et al found that pathogenic variants (PVs) in ATM, CHEK2, or PALB2 were not associated with significant differences in mortality from breast, colorectal, or pancreatic cancer compared with the absence of such PVs. Study Details The...
In a retrospective cohort study reported in JAMA Network Open, Podany et al identified differences in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiles, targeted therapy use, and survival outcomes in Black vs White patients with metastatic breast cancer. Study Details The U.S. multicenter study involved 1,327 ...
In JAMA, Lee et al provided a concise, evidence-based summary to help clinicians discuss information regarding breast density and implement shared decision-making with patients following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Mammography Quality Standards Act mandate. Since September 2024,...
Breast cancer mortality rates may have stopped declining in women older than 74 years and younger than 40 years, according to a recent study published by Monticciolo and Hendrick in the Journal of Breast Imaging. Background Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among ...
A common type of diabetes drug known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors could help patients with cancer achieve greater long-term recovery, according to a novel study published by Bhalraam et al in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Background Many patients with cancer ...
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Matteo Lambertini, MD, and colleagues identified clinical characteristics of breast cancer in young women carrying germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1 vs BRCA2 and examined the effect of prediagnostic BRCA testing on outcomes. Study...
The receipt of chemotherapy or endocrine therapy without chemotherapy could be associated with different long-lasting physical health declines among breast cancer survivors compared with those without breast cancer, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open. Background Physical...
In an overall survival analysis of a South Korean phase II trial (Young-PEARL) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Ahn et al found no benefit with palbociclib plus exemestane and leuprorelin vs capecitabine in premenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast...