BREAST CANCER

Based on data from the phase III SOLAR-1 trial, alpelisib (Piqray) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of postmenopausal women, and men, with HR-positive, HER2-negative, PIK3CA-mutated, advanced or metastatic breast cancer following progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen.

HER2+ BC: Residual Disease After Neoadjuvant Therapy

Early HER2+ Breast Cancer

Pembrolizumab monotherapy missed the prespecified primary endpoint of superior overall survival compared to chemotherapy in the phase III KEYNOTE-119 trial, in which the PD-1 inhibitor was being investigated as a second- or third-line treatment for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

By eating a balanced, low-fat diet and daily portions of vegetables, fruit, and grains, women have a 21% lower risk of dying from breast cancer, according to research to be presented during the upcoming 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Findings from ongoing immunotherapy studies are expected to change the treatment paradigm in breast cancer as these agents become available to larger subsets of patients, according to Hope S. Rugo, MD, and Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, MD, PhD, who presented data at the 36th Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference® hosted by Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC.

In topline findings from the phase II DESTINY-BreastO1 study, [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated encouraging responses in patients with unresectable and/or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer that has been previously treated with ado-trastuzumab emtansine.

The FDA has granted a fast track designation to a novel CCR5 antagonist, leronlimab (PRO 140), for use in combination with carboplatin to treat patients with CCR5-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

Ado-trastuzumab emtansine has been approved by the FDA for use as an adjuvant treatment option for patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer who have residual invasive disease following neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab and chemotherapy.

A look back at all the FDA news that happened in the month of April 2019, including several new approvals, a priority review, breakthrough designation, and more.

John H. Ward, MD, discusses the role of 21-gene assays in selecting patients with breast cancer for adjuvant chemotherapy treatment.

A new VENTANA HER2 dual in situ hybridization companion diagnostic assay has been launched by Roche to help identify&nbsp;<em>HER2</em> amplification for patients with breast cancer and gastric cancer who could be eligible to receive trastuzumab.