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Palliative systemic therapy for young women with metastatic breast cancer
Lee Guek Eng1, Shaheenah Dawood, Rebecca Dent
1aDepartment of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore bDepartment of Medical Oncology, Dubai Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Purpose Of Review:
Breast cancer in young women age less than 40 years remains a relatively rare disease. Emerging data suggest that the biology of breast cancer in younger women may differ from that of older women. Although metastatic breast cancer remains incurable, it is definitely treatable; especially in this era of emerging novel therapeutics.
Recent Findings:
Most women have hormone receptor-positive disease and strategies that interfere with proliferation and the PI3 kinase pathway are reporting exciting results. The prognosis of the metastatic HER2 subtype has been extended to a median survival of 56 months with dual HER2 targeting agents in the first-line setting. Finally, triple negative breast cancer has an enlarging range of therapeutic options including immunotherapy, antiangiogenesis therapy, and targeted therapies including agents that interfere with androgen receptor signaling.
Summary:
Combined palliative and holistic approaches are essential to help young women navigate the marathon of treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Insights
Metastatic breast cancer in young women is treatable with novel therapies targeting specific pathways. Advances in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer offer improved outcomes and expanded treatment options.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Translational Medicine
Background:
- Breast cancer in women under 40 is rare but may have distinct biological characteristics.
- Metastatic breast cancer, while incurable, is increasingly treatable with modern therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current therapeutic strategies for metastatic breast cancer in young women.
- To highlight emerging treatments and their impact on prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical data and therapeutic advancements.
- Focus on novel agents targeting specific molecular pathways.
Main Results:
- Hormone receptor-positive disease benefits from proliferation and PI3K pathway inhibitors.
- Dual HER2-targeting agents improve survival in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (median 56 months).
- Triple-negative breast cancer has expanding options including immunotherapy and targeted therapies.
Conclusions:
- Integrated palliative and holistic care is crucial for young women undergoing long-term metastatic breast cancer treatment.
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