Ingrid A. Mayer, MD, co-leader and clinical director, Breast Cancer Research Program Chair, Data and Safety Monitoring Committee, associate professor of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), medical oncologist, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, discusses the use of targeted therapies in estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer.

In the early setting, targeted therapies are being incorporated in both the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings, says Mayer. There are several trials ongoing and being planned utilizing CDK4/6 inhibitors, as well as everolimus. If these trials end up showing a survival advantage, it would revolutionize the way patients with ER-positive breast cancer are treated, she says.

In the metastatic setting, there are also numerous targeted therapies being investigated including CDK4/6 inhibitors, PI3-kinase inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, EGFR inhibitors, and more. Patient selection is going to be one of the biggest challenges, says Mayer. Instead of large trials, studies may need to be smaller and more specific going forward.

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Ingrid A. Mayer, MD, co-leader and Clinical Director, Breast Cancer Research Program Chair, Data and Safety Monitoring Committee, Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), medical oncologist, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, discusses the use of targeted therapies in estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer.

Dr. Ingrid Mayer on Targeted Therapies in ER+ Breast Cancer

Ingrid A. Mayer, MD, associate professor of medicine, co-leader and clinical director, Breast Cancer Research Program, medical oncologist, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, discusses toxicities that are associated with therapies for ER-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, is generally well-tolerated in patients, Mayer explains. However, the most common adverse event is myelosuppression, which is typically asymptomatic. There are also minimal gastrointestinal-related events. Quality of life has not been found to be an issue in these patients receiving palbociclib, she adds.

However, with everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, Mayer says there are more toxicities involved. These include rash, stomatitis, and gastrointestinal-related events, which can be easily managed. These adverse events are expected, since these therapies are being added to endocrine therapy, Mayer adds.

Ingrid A. Mayer, MD, associate professor of medicine, co-leader and clinical director, Breast Cancer Research Program, medical oncologist, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, discusses toxicities that are associated with therapies for ER-positive metastatic breast cancer. 


Ingrid A. Mayer, MD

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Dr. Ingrid Mayer on Targeted Therapies in ER+ Breast Cancer

Dr. Mayer on Toxicities Associated With Therapies for ER+ Breast Cancer