DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE

PATINA trial results show IBRANCE® (palbociclib) significantly improves progression-free survival in HR+, HER2+ metastatic breast cancer when added to anti-HER2 and endocrine therapy, extending median PFS by over 15 months.

Pfizer and AFT announced phase 3 PATINA trial results showing Ibrance plus standard-of-care improved progression-free survival in HR+, HER2+ metastatic breast cancer. Median PFS was 44.3 months with Ibrance vs. 29.1 months without, extending PFS by over 15 months. Safety profile consistent with known data. Results presented at SABCS.

Ultra-sensitive ctDNA testing identified ctDNA at baseline in HR-positive breast cancer patients, linked to larger tumor size and higher RCB scores. Persistent ctDNA post-neoadjuvant endocrine therapy correlated with higher recurrence rates. The study suggests ctDNA could provide insights into tumor burden and endocrine therapy sensitivity.

CMS created CPT codes for patient navigation services, allowing providers to bill for them. The American Cancer Society developed a training program for navigators. Karen Knudsen, ACS CEO, celebrated this as a major step forward in improving cancer outcomes before resigning due to board conflicts. Other top stories included election implications for oncology, oncologist struggles with terminal cancer, and GRAIL's multi-cancer detection test.

Neoadjuvant niraparib plus dostarlimab produced responses in patients with germline BRCA-mutated ER+/HER2- breast cancer, with a 16.7% pCR rate. Increased baseline sTILs were associated with pathologic response. Further exploration of tumor microenvironment components is needed.

Palbociclib added to anti-HER2 and endocrine therapy improved median progression-free survival (PFS) to 44.3 months vs 29.1 months in HR+, HER2+ metastatic breast cancer patients, with manageable toxicity, suggesting a potential new standard of care.

Sibylle Loibl presented primary results of the PADMA trial, showing endocrine therapy plus palbociclib improved time to treatment failure to 17 months vs 7.2 months with mono chemotherapy in HER2-negative/HR-positive metastatic breast cancer. Endocrine-based treatment also showed longer progression-free survival and overall survival, suggesting chemotherapy's limited role in this patient group.

Two studies suggest 'watch-and-wait' strategy for low-risk DCIS breast cancer yields similar recurrence rates and quality of life outcomes to active treatment, challenging current practices of over-treatment.

AstraZeneca and Merck's OlympiA trial showed Lynparza (olaparib) improved overall survival, invasive disease-free survival, and distant disease-free survival for germline BRCA-mutated HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer patients. The benefits persisted after six years, with Lynparza reducing death risk by 28% and maintaining a favorable safety profile. Lynparza is approved in multiple countries for this indication.

The phase III PATINA trial showed palbociclib (IBRANCE®) plus standard-of-care maintenance therapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in HR+, HER2+ metastatic breast cancer patients, extending median PFS by over 15 months. Safety and tolerability were consistent with known profiles. Pfizer plans to discuss results with regulatory authorities.