The Breast Cancer Research Foundation hosted a virtual panel featuring experts to discuss the latest on metastatic breast cancer research
Key Takeaways
- The Breast Cancer Research Foundation hosted a virtual panel to discuss advancements in the field of metastatic breast cancer research.
- BCRF-funded investigator and oncologist Dr. Komal Jhaveri shared insights on promising new treatment options and areas of additional interest.
- Sally Wolf, who has metastatic breast cancer, encouraged everyone to advocate for themselves in the medical system.
On October 19, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) hosted a conversation on the future of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treatments.
BCRF’s Managing Director, Communications & Content, Sadia Zapp, moderated the virtual panel, “Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatments: A New Era.” BCRF investigator Dr. Komal Jhaveri, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; and Advocate Sally Wolf, who has metastatic breast cancer, brought their expertise to the discussion.
BCRF is the largest private funder of metastatic breast cancer research in the world. This year the Foundation is investing $28.3 million and 102 projects that span every aspect of metastasis. Also known as stage 4 breast cancer, MBC is not yet curable, but it is treatable; thanks to breakthroughs in research, more treatment options exist than ever before.
Below are some key takeaways from the virtual panel.
Research on metastatic breast cancer is accelerating, improving outcomes
Dr. Jhaveri praised the rapid pace of research breakthroughs on metastatic breast cancer. “To me, [the] progress is palpable,” she said. She pointed to the past five years as a key period of discovery, saying that she can now discuss treatment options with her patients that were unavailable a few years ago.
Sadia and Sally agreed, adding that rapid advancements in the field mean survival rate statistics are largely out of date and have become more promising. Although metastatic breast cancer rates are increasing in the United States, survival rates have also increased, according to a study published by BCRF researcher Dr. Jose Pablo Leone.
There are more treatment options for different types of breast cancer
Dr. Jhaveri expressed excitement about treatment advancements for distinct types of breast cancer, including triple-negative, estrogen-receptor-positive, and HER2-positive breast cancer.
She referenced promising new data about antibody drug conjugates, which specifically target cancer cells while sparing as many healthy cells as possible. These drugs can help prolong progression-free survival and delay chemotherapy, which can have difficult side effects. She also explained the potential efficacy of bispecific agents for treating triple-negative breast cancer in particular. Bispecific agents are immunotherapies designed to recognize two targets at once and can act like a bridge, connecting the patient’s own immune cells directly to cancer cells so the immune system can attack. Triple-negative breast cancer has a “trickier disease biology,” Dr. Jhaveri says, so these updates are particularly encouraging.
Dr. Jhaveri noted that current treatments for lobular and inflammatory breast cancer generally follow the receptor subtype, but are still largely understudied. Clinical trials and research are underway to improve outcomes.
These discoveries are helping doctors personalize options for different individuals based on their medical needs, lifestyle, and personal preferences. “[I] feel like we’re headed in the right direction to do more for patients,” Dr. Jhaveri said.
Patient-centered care is key to treatment
Central to the panel’s conversation was understanding the individual person at the heart of a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis.
Wolf spoke to her experience advocating for herself as she navigated the medical system. After her initial diagnosis and treatment of early-stage breast cancer, she felt a subtle but unusual pain in her hip. It took effort, dismissals from multiple hospitals, and several oncologist visits before she was able to do a biopsy of her bone, which came back positive for metastatic breast cancer.
Wolf encouraged others to check in with their bodies regularly. “Doctors are experts…but you are the expert of your own body,” Wolf said. “I really can’t underscore enough the importance of self-advocacy and knowing your body.” Dr. Jhaveri agreed, emphasizing that communication and the patient’s voice are essential to one’s treatment journey.
Wolf also urged researchers to connect with more patients. “What I need may be very different from someone else…and I think the only way to understand that is to talk to more of us.”
The bottom line
Panelists agreed that while the road to ending cancer is long, continued developments in metastatic breast cancer research leave them optimistic. “There’s a lot more that needs to be done,” said Dr. Jhaveri, “but there’s definitely hope.”
