Dr Cobain on Future Considerations For the Treatment of HR+/HER2– Breast Cancer

Erin Frances Cobain, MD, medical oncologist, co-director, Breast Cancer Clinical Research Team, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, discusses key takeaways derived from an OncLive Institutional Perspectives in Cancer webinar on breast cancer, highlighting patients with hormone receptor (HR)–positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

Investigators delved into a comprehensive array of topics surrounding breast cancer management, particularly emphasizing advancements in therapeutic strategies for both metastatic and early-stage disease, Cobain begins. A notable focus was placed on the use of CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, the management of early-stage triple-negative disease, and the emerging role of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in treatment regimens, she says.

Throughout the discussions, a recurring theme emerged: the significant progress achieved in managing metastatic breast cancer and the subsequent exploration of how these effective therapies can be integrated into early-stage treatment, Cobain reports. The challenge lies in identifying where these agents, which have demonstrated considerable efficacy in advanced stages, can optimally fit within early-stage treatment paradigms, according to Cobain. This is particularly pertinent for ADCs, which have yet to establish a standardized role in early-stage breast cancer management, she notes. Ongoing clinical trials are underway to address this pivotal question, and their outcomes will be instrumental in shaping future therapeutic approaches, Cobain emphasizes.

Another area of interest highlighted during the sessions pertained to advancements in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer management, particularly in addressing brain metastases, Cobain expands. Recent developments have introduced therapies capable of achieving adequate central nervous system penetration, alongside systemic treatments that have elicited improved outcomes in this challenging setting, Cobain says.

Looking ahead, the integration of novel therapies, including CDK4/6 inhibitors, ADCs, and brain-penetrant agents, into early-stage breast cancer management represents a crucial frontier in oncology, she states. The ongoing exploration of these agents in clinical trials will be instrumental in elucidating the efficacy, safety, and optimal timing of incorporating these therapies into standard early-stage treatment protocols, Cobain concludes.