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Changes to adjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer: a decade in review
Christina A Saurel1, Tejal A Patel, Edith A Perez
1Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
Abstract:
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in women among the United States. Fortunately, it continues to be an active area of research. Today, it is well recognized that breast cancer can often be a systemic disease, with micrometastatic involvement at diagnosis in many patients. Over the past decade, adjuvant systemic therapy has been used to eradicate micrometastatic disease, and it has been shown to decrease the rates of recurrence and improve the survival of patients with early-stage, resected breast cancer. Some of the success of modern adjuvant systemic therapy has come from the advent of new chemotherapy and endocrine agents but also from the development of targeted therapies, which have improved the efficacy of conventional, cytotoxic therapy. There has also been increasing awareness that the dosing and schedule of administration of systemic therapies are equally important factors in achieving better outcomes in patients with early-stage breast cancer. Growing research into the biology and genomics of breast cancer has fueled the development of more accurate risk stratification tools and helped individualize the decision to recommend adjuvant systemic therapy. Herein, we present a review of salient developments over the past decade that have helped shape the adjuvant systemic therapy of today.
Insights
Adjuvant systemic therapy has significantly improved breast cancer outcomes by targeting micrometastatic disease. Advances in chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and personalized treatment strategies are key to reducing recurrence and enhancing survival for early-stage patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Research
- Medical Science
Background:
- Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death in women.
- Recognizing breast cancer as a systemic disease with micrometastatic potential is crucial.
- Adjuvant systemic therapy plays a vital role in managing micrometastatic breast cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review significant advancements in adjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer over the past decade.
- To highlight the impact of new therapeutic agents and strategies on patient outcomes.
- To underscore the importance of personalized medicine in breast cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature and clinical studies on breast cancer therapy.
- Analysis of developments in chemotherapy, endocrine agents, and targeted therapies.
- Examination of research on dosing, scheduling, and risk stratification.
Main Results:
- Adjuvant systemic therapy has demonstrably decreased recurrence rates and improved survival in early-stage breast cancer.
- New chemotherapy, endocrine, and targeted agents have enhanced treatment efficacy.
- Individualized treatment approaches based on biology and genomics are improving outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The past decade has seen substantial progress in adjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer.
- Optimized dosing, scheduling, and targeted therapies are critical components of modern treatment.
- Continued research in breast cancer biology and genomics will further refine adjuvant systemic therapy.
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