Updated results of the phase 3 BOLERO-2 trial demonstrated that adding everolimus to hormonal therapy extends progression-free survival (PFS) in hormone receptor–positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer that progressed on hormonal therapy with anastrozole or letrozole. The positive outcomes observed in this study suggest that everolimus plus exemestane will be a new option for postmenopausal metastatic HR+ breast cancer.
A quality-of-life analysis of the large randomized NCIC MA. 27 trial shows that symptoms of endocrine therapy can be severe and have a negative effect on quality of life. The study also found that women with side effects from previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy before they start taking endocrine therapy are at higher risk for early discontinuation. Read More ›
SAN ANTONIO—A rapidly growing, nationwide clinical trial matching service that is user-friendly for patients is enabling more patients to learn about and enroll in clinical trials, said Ellie Cohen, PhD, the program’s director. Cohen described the success of her program at the 33rd annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
CHICAGO—In the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group MA.20 trial, regional nodal irradiation (RNI) added to whole breast irradiation (WBI) improved disease- free survival (DFS), with a trend toward improved overall survival (OS), reported Timothy Whelan, MD, of McMaster University and the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton, Ontario.
For breast cancer patients aged 66 years and older, nurses should consider comorbidities when discussing prognosis, according to an analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results–Medicare data.
Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that affects the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2). Trastuzumab is frequently used in young women diagnosed with HER2 breast cancer. A new study by Dr César Serrano et al published in Annals of Oncology found that trastuzumab increases the risk of heart problems, particularly in elderly women with a history of heart disease, diabetes, or both.
New breast cancer screening guidelines recommend mammography screening annually for women beginning at age 40. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) believes that the high incidence of breast cancer combined with the potential to reduce deaths from it when caught early warrants this change from its previous recommendations (every 1-2 years starting at age 40; annually beginning at age 50).
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