The latest advancements in cancer research and treatment are here, and they're game-changing! We're diving into the world of oncology, bringing you the hottest news straight from major conferences. Get ready to explore the latest findings in breast cancer and multiple myeloma treatments, and discover why these breakthroughs are so significant.
Unveiling the Pulse of Oncology
Welcome to this week's edition of The Targeted Pulse, your trusted source for all things oncology. We've been at the forefront of two major events: the 2025 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). These conferences have given us an exclusive look at the newest clinical innovations, and we're excited to share the highlights with you.
Breast Cancer Breakthroughs at SABCS 2025
Our readers' polls at SABCS 2025 have revealed some key abstracts that deserve our attention. Let's dive in:
- In hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and HER2-negative (HER2–) early breast cancer, the lidERA study has brought exciting news. The oral SERD giredestrant has shown statistically significant improvements in invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) compared to standard endocrine therapy. This is a major step forward in treatment options.
But here's where it gets controversial...
- The ASCENT-07 study in HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer didn't meet its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) for sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy) versus chemotherapy. This finding might raise some eyebrows and spark discussions about the best treatment approaches.
For HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer, the HER2CLIMB-05 trial (tucatinib combination) has also met its primary endpoint of PFS. Additionally, we'll be discussing the safety and quality-of-life data from the ASCENT-04 trial, which combines sacituzumab govitecan with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in triple-negative breast cancer. These updates are crucial for understanding the diverse landscape of breast cancer subtypes.
Multiple Myeloma: A New Standard of Care?
The phase 3 MajesTEC-3 trial has demonstrated impressive results in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM). The combination of teclistamab and subcutaneous daratumumab (Tec-Dara) has shown significant improvements in patient outcomes. Compared to standard daratumumab-based regimens, Tec-Dara reduced the risk of disease progression or death by a remarkable 83%.
The safety profile of this combination is manageable, leading many to consider it as a potential new standard of care for earlier lines of R/R MM treatment. This development could be a game-changer for patients and healthcare professionals alike.
Sacituzumab: A Mixed Bag in HR+/HER2– BC
The phase 3 ASCENT-07 trial investigated sacituzumab govitecan as a first-line chemotherapy following endocrine therapy for HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer. While the trial didn't meet its primary endpoint of statistically significant improvement in PFS, there were some interesting findings. The median PFS was similar in both the sacituzumab and chemotherapy arms, but sacituzumab showed a trend towards improved overall survival (OS) early on.
However, the sacituzumab arm also had higher rates of grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events. Despite this, sacituzumab govitecan remains a standard of care in the post-chemotherapy setting, based on the TROPiCS-02 study.
HER2+ Breast Cancer: T-DXd Plus Pertuzumab
Patient-reported outcomes from the phase 3 DESTINY-Breast09 trial offer valuable insights into HER2+ advanced/metastatic breast cancer treatment. The trial compared the antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd; Enhertu) plus pertuzumab (Perjeta) against the standard-of-care regimen (taxane, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab).
While both regimens maintained similar physical function and pain/fatigue control, the adverse effect profiles differed. The T-DXd plus pertuzumab arm had more gastrointestinal issues but fewer skin/mucosal symptoms and extremity swelling. Overall, patients found both regimens tolerable, making T-DXd plus pertuzumab a viable alternative first-line option.
Aromatase Inhibitors: A Preferred Choice for HR+/HER2+ Early Breast Cancer
An exploratory analysis of the phase 3 ALTTO trial suggests that aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the preferred adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) for HR+/HER2+ early breast cancer. With a median follow-up of 9.9 years, AI use was associated with an improved 10-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of 80.1% compared to 76.5% for selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).
This benefit in DFS and time to distant recurrence was seen across menopausal subgroups and didn't compromise overall survival. In premenopausal patients, AIs with or without ovarian function suppression showed superior 10-year DFS compared to SERM-based regimens.
Stay tuned for more practice-changing data in community oncology practice! We'll keep you updated on the latest advancements and their impact on patient care.
