Breast Cancer

Data presented at the 2021 ESMO Breast Cancer Virtual Congress showed 29% of recurrent breast cancer biopsies showed conversion either from, or to, HER2-low expression.

These findings also suggest that the efficacy of radiotherapy can be improved with drugs that block the PDGFRb protein.

The new study evaluated data from 5000 patients with EBC and 3496 with ABC to determine associations between BMI and survival rates across both stages.

The study also found that patients with comorbidities such as heart disease and diabetes were more likely to experience a high symptom burden.

Clinicians should consider the impact on subsequent therapies, overall survival, and median time to definitive deterioration with CDK 4/6 inhibitors.

Cynthia Lynch, MD, breast cancer program clinical advisor with Cancer Treatment Centers of America, said oncology pharmacists are vital team members who can help ensure optimal treatment and safety for patients with breast cancer.

Oncology experts recommend patients schedule overdue screenings, as pandemic restrictions ease.

According to the study authors, the findings suggest a need for greater transparency in health care pricing as well as policies eliminating financial obstacles to catching cancer early.

New research findings published in Cell Reports identified a type of immune cells that acts as a major driver of breast cancer growth by preventing the accumulation of a specific protein that induces anti-tumor responses.

A new study led by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing found that breast cancer survivors with a higher risk of cancer recurrence based on genomic testing may experience greater fear of their cancer returning.

A new study shows that overweight breast cancer survivors have a statistically significant increased risk of developing second primary cancers, and obesity is strongly associated with an increased risk of various cancer types.

Pharmacists may provide nutritional counseling regarding dietary adjustments or recommendations for over-the-counter supplements to assist patient with cancer.

Over the past 18 months, the FDA has approved 4 new regimens for HER2-positive metastatic disease.

The discovery points to a novel treatment target for shrinking brain tumors that arise secondary to breast cancer, according to the study authors.

A session at the Community Oncology Alliance virtual 2021 conference noted that clinical trials have found promising new treatments for patients with breast cancer, offering opportunities for future new approvals and indications.

Findings from the phase 3 ASCENT trial demonstrate a clinically meaningful 57% reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death for patients receiving sacituzumab govitecan.

A review of the efficacy of HER2-positive–targeted agents for metastatic breast cancer.

Understanding breast cancer and which patients may be more vulnerable to long-term treatment effects and which patients may benefit most, can help oncologists design the best personalized neoadjuvant and adjuvant human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy.

Modifications include high rates of neoadjuvant endocrine chemotherapy, genomic assay testing on core biopsies, and delays in planned surgeries.

The study, conducted by investigators from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Coalition (BCSC), had an objective to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both breast cancer screening and diagnostic mammography services in the United States.

In April 2020, colonoscopy screenings declined from 15.1 per 10,000 beneficiaries to 0.9, a 95% difference.

The study also analyzed the relationship between ultra-processed food and drink products with 2 other cancer types.

The studies had a minimum follow-up period of 24 weeks and reported at least 1 event of breast cancer or benign breast neoplasm, which included 90,360 participants.

Electricity may slow the speed at which breast cancer cells spread through the body, and in some cases may stop them entirely, according to a new study published in Bioelectricity.

Low doses of propylparaben–a chemical preservative found in food, drugs, and cosmetics–can alter pregnancy-related changes in the breast in ways that may lessen the protection against breast cancer normally conveyed by pregnancy hormones.

Sodas have significantly high sugar levels and a lack of nutritional value, which may contribute to conditions that can lead to breast cancer.

The FDA announced that it will hold a public meeting of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee from April 27 to 29 to address the indications granted accelerated approval for 6 therapies.

Debu Tripathy, MD, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Houston, discussed the basic requirements of personalizing therapy.

The investigators performed a retrospective review of 215 patients age 65 years and older with TNBC or HER2+ breast cancer who underwent mastectomy from 2005 to 2020 at a single institution.

This activity is supported by educational grants from Seagen Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, and AstraZeneca.