BREAST CANCER

HR+ Metastatic Breast Cancer

This article focuses specifically on the role of ovarian suppression in young premenopausal women. It reviews methods of ovarian suppression, provides evidence from recent pivotal clinical trials, outlines guidelines for its use, and discusses best practices and practical management applications.

Breast Cancer

Before a community oncology practice considers getting involved in clinical trials research, there are many factorsto consider. Perhaps foremost is the fact that cancer clinical trials provide the evidence base for new advances in oncology. 

William J. Gradishar, MD, discusses the NCCN guidelines in regard to selecting molecular assays for patients with breast cancer. Currently, there are 3 available assays that clinicians can order: 21-gene, 50-gene, and 70-gene assays.

Artificial intelligence has made inroads in many industries—banking, finance, security—but its adoption in healthcare has been lagging and real-world clinical implementation has yet to become a reality. Nonetheless, proponents say it is only a matter of time and pilot programs are starting to yield some practical results. 

The indication for palbociclib capsules in combination with endocrine therapy now includes the treatment of male patients with hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer after being expanded by the FDA.

A look back at all the FDA news that happened in March 2019, including several new approvals, a clinical hold, an orphan drug designation, and more.

It is rare that treatment guidelines make sweeping changes to treatment recommendations, yet the American Society of Breast Surgeons is urging that the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines on breast cancer treatment be changed to indicate that genetic testing be offered to all patients with breast cancer.

Five of 9 patients with large triple-negative breast tumors treated with the viral oncolytic talimogene laherparepvec plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy achieved pathologic complete response, according to findings from a preliminary trial.

In an effort to enable healthcare providers and patients to make more informed medical decisions, the FDA has proposed amendments to key policies to modernize breast cancer screening and improve mammography services.

Mark D. Pegram, MD, discusses how the results from the phase III KATHERINE trial will change practice for the treatment of patients with breast cancer.

The biologics license application for eflapegrastim was voluntarily withdrawn by Spectrum Pharmaceuticals as the company requires more time to complete additional manufacturing-related information requested by the FDA.

Aditya Bardia, MBBS, MPH, discusses the development of targeted therapies for patients with triple-negative breast cancer. He says these approaches can be divided into 3 different categories.

The treatment paradigm for HER2-positive breast cancer may be reshaped over the next several years, as head-to-head studies comparing new agents to the current standard of care begin to yield results, said Sara A. Hurvitz, MD.

The healthcare community is still awaiting a response from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to the opposition of the agency’s proposal to substantially revise the Medicare Part D protected drug classes.

The need for new therapies to treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer is pressing, and the development of antibody-drug conjugates represents a promising new strategy for these patients, according to Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH.