Contributions
Responses to Heterogeneity and Resistance Continue to be Developed, with Increasingly Promising Results
Although the development of anti-HER2 treatments has come a long way, the likelihood of acquired resistance remains high. According to a study published in Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology, new treatment options and combinations can help to improve the ultimate outcome of a patient’s cancer treatment, as well as to de-escelate their treatment and reduce...
The HER2-Enriched Subtype May Be the Best Biomarker Avaialble for Prognosticating Therapeutic Response
HER2-positive breast cancer provides many distinct therapeutic challenges, and these can be simplified through a comprehensive understanding of the molecular subtypes characterizing different forms of heterogeneity that this cancer may exhibit. As heterogeneity is one of the leading sources of difficulty in treating HER2-positive breast cancer, understanding molecular subtyping can help create more informed novel...
Trial Seeks to Understand Tolerability of Endocrine Therapy in Elderly Patients
A trial of endocrine therapy after breast-conserving surgery will aid in patient treatment decisions regarding the choice of adjuvant therapy. Among the large number of women that are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, many receive some form of radiotherapy as part of their treatment plan. Some patients are able to receive therapeutic treatments that...
British Review Finds U.S. Hispanic/Latin American Women and Asian American Women at Increased Risk for HER2+ Breast Cancer
This review examined the disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes in the United States of America by race and ethnicity. Health disparities are known to result from biological factors, as well as social determinants of health. Social forces such as racism, sexism, classism, and discrimination play a role, as do living conditions, socioeconomic status, and...
Why Women Experience a Delay to Chemotherapy, A Qualitative Analysis
More than a 60-day delay in chemotherapy, after the diagnosis of breast cancer, results in 26% increased risk of death for the patient. Medical experts sought to better understand why many female patients choose to delay treatment after a cancer diagnosis. There are numerous health disparities that contribute to significantly higher risks of cancers. Increased...
Associations and Spectrum of Genetic Mutations in Younger Patients with Breast Carcinoma and Additional Malignancies
Gene mutations are a critical element in younger patients, >40 years of age, who are at high risk for breast carcinomas and additional malignancies. Studies have been conducted to determine the precise genetic mutations associated in younger patients with breast carcinomas and additional malignancies. Although age is the first major risk factor for breast cancer,...
Researchers Find a Sharp Decline in Racial Disparity Among Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Oncoplastic Surgery
Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS) is a common response to a variety of breast cancer diagnoses. This surgery can involve either a partial mastectomy procedure or oncoplastic surgery. This study involves an analysis of the racial disparity in BCS over an 11-year period from 2008 to 2018. A team of researchers used the NSQIP (National Surgical...
Racial/Ethnic and Economic Segregation and Breast Cancer Disparities
A recent study led by Dr. Neha Goel at the University of Miami analyzed how race/ethnicity and zip code affect breast cancer survival in America. Specifically, the study used a measure known as the index of concentration at the extremes (ICE) to determine how economic status, race/ethnicity, and racialized economic segregation impact breast cancer survival...
Including Patients in the Conversation on Chemotherapy De-escalation
A research study led by Mary Smith, J.D., M.B.A. of the Research Advocacy Network in Plano, Texas, supports the inclusion of patient and consumer perspectives in the design of chemotherapy de-escalation clinical trials. The study was performed to determine public perceptions of chemotherapy de-escalation and how sociodemographic factors might influence these perceptions. In some cases,...