Metastatic Breast Cancer

Study : CDK inhibitors may increase survival for ER-positive metastatic breast cancer patients

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: People with metastatic, hormone-positive, Her2-negative breast cancer

The phase III MONALEESA-7 study is a clinical trial looking at the effect of a type of treatment known as a CDK4/6 inhibitor in pre- or perimenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive advanced breast cancer. (7/22/19) 

Study : LGBTQ patients recommend improvements for their cancer care

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: LGBTQ cancer patients and their healthcare providers.

Very little research has focused on the cancer care experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. This study looks at recommendations from the LGBTQ community for improving their cancer care. (6/20/19)

Guideline : FDA approves an immunotherapy treatment for some patients with triple-negative breast cancer

Relevance: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

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Most relevant for: People with metastatic, triple-negative breast cancer

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED: In August 2021 Roche voluntarily withdrew their FDA accelerated approval for Tecentriq (atezolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy (Abraxane®, albumin-bound paclitaxel; nab-paclitaxel) for the treatment of adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) whose tumours express PD-L1. 

The FDA approved the use of the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in combination with the chemotherapy agent nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) for certain patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer. (5/26/19)

Study : Smart drug shows promising results for treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Human Research

Most relevant for: People with metastatic, triple-negative breast cancer

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED on 04/27/20:  Based on the results from the study reviewed in this XRAY, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sacituzumab govitecan-hizy (Trodelvy), as a treatment for people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who have received at least two prior therapies for metastatic disease. 

We report results of an early-stage clinical trial of a new class of drugs for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). IMMU-132 is a combination of two different molecules: an antibody that targets certain types of cancer and delivers a chemotherapy drug that can kill cancer cells. This study looks at whether IMMU-132 is safe and effective for treating metastatic TNBC. (4/16/19)

Guideline : Breast surgeons recommend genetic testing for all breast cancer patients

Relevance: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: Anyone diagnosed with breast cancer

The American Society of Breast Surgeons published statement on genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer on February 10, 2019. It includes recommendations about who should be tested. Among these is the recommendation that all breast cancer patients get genetic testing, as well as women who do not have breast cancer but fit the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. (3/25/19)

Study : Prevalence of BRCA founder mutations in Bahamian women

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: Bahamanian women

The Bahamas has the highest known frequency of BRCA mutations among people diagnosed with breast cancer. This study reviewed whether population-based BRCA testing (testing everyone regardless of family or personal history of cancer) would be an effective approach for finding mutation carriers in the Bahamas. (3/4/19)

Article : Promise of a cure for cancer is too good to be true

Relevance: Low

Research Timeline: Lab Research

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Most relevant for: People diagnosed with cancer

The Jerusalem Post published an article titled, “A cure for cancer?  Israeli scientists may have found one.” The story profiled a small Israeli company called Accelerated Evolution Biotechnologies that has been working on developing new cancer treatments since 2000. The article relied almost entirely on an interview with the company’s chairperson of the board who made a series of unsubstantiated claims that included that, in a year’s time, the company will offer a complete cure for cancer. (2/12/19)

Article : The cost of cancer care and impact of financial hardship on treatment

Relevance: High

Quality of Writing: High

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Most relevant for: Anyone diagnosed with cancer

Several recent studies on the cost of cancer care show the negative effects on cancer patients. We review an article by Kaiser Health News and associated studies about the financial impact of breast cancer treatment and cost of precision medicine. (2/8/19)

Study : The impact of palbociclib (Ibrance) on overall survival for metastatic breast cancer patients in the PALOMA-3 trial

Relevance: High

Strength of Science: Medium-High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: People with metastatic, hormone-positive breast cancer

The PALOMA-3 clinical trial showed that a new CDK4/6 inhibitor in combination therapy improved progression-free survival of women treated for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in women with prior disease progression after endocrine therapy. This XRAYS reviews a newly published study in the New England Journal of Medicine that looks at overall survival in the original PALOMA-3 study. (1/23/19)

Study : Inherited breast cancer in Nigerian women

Relevance: Medium-High

Strength of Science: High

Research Timeline: Post Approval

Most relevant for: Nigerian women or women of Nigerian descent who have breast cancer

A new study shows that among Nigerian women, one in eight cases of breast cancer is due to an inherited mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2 or TP53. (12/5/18)