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Metastatic breast cancer: The Odyssey of personalization
A Sonnenblick1, N Pondé2, M Piccart2
1Department of Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Boulevard de Waterloo 125, B 1000 Brussels, Belgium; Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Abstract:
Metastatic breast cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer death for women worldwide. In the last 15 years, a large number of new agents have entered clinical use, a result of the dramatic increase in our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of metastatic breast cancer. However, while these agents have led to better outcomes, they are also at the root cause of increasing financial pressure on healthcare systems. Moreover, decision making in an era where every year new agents are added to the therapeutic armamentarium has also become a significant challenge for medical oncologists. In the present article, we will provide an ample review on the most recent developments in the field of treatment of the different subtypes of metastatic breast cancer with a critical discussion on the slow progress made in identifying response biomarkers. New hopes in the form of ctDNA monitoring and functional imaging will be presented.
Insights
Metastatic breast cancer treatments have advanced, but rising costs and complex choices challenge oncologists. This review covers new therapies and discusses slow biomarker progress, highlighting ctDNA monitoring and functional imaging as future hopes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Healthcare Economics
Background:
- Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is a leading cause of cancer death globally.
- Recent advances in understanding MBC's molecular basis have yielded new therapies.
- These advancements improve outcomes but increase healthcare costs and treatment decision complexity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent developments in treating various subtypes of metastatic breast cancer.
- To critically discuss the slow progress in identifying biomarkers for treatment response.
- To present novel approaches like ctDNA monitoring and functional imaging.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of recent advancements in MBC treatment.
- Analysis of current therapeutic strategies and their impact on healthcare systems.
- Evaluation of progress in identifying predictive biomarkers for MBC therapies.
Main Results:
- Significant progress in developing new agents for MBC subtypes.
- Limited success in identifying reliable biomarkers to predict treatment response.
- Emerging potential of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and functional imaging.
Conclusions:
- Despite therapeutic advances, challenges remain in cost and treatment selection for MBC.
- Accelerated development of response biomarkers is crucial for personalized MBC treatment.
- ctDNA monitoring and functional imaging offer promising avenues for future MBC management.
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