T. Feys MBA, MSc

Journal Scan

In this section of the BJMO, we aim to provide a snapshot of pivotal studies published in recent issues of the most important international journals focusing on oncology. Importantly, the selection of the studies discussed here is the sole responsibility of the publisher and was not influenced by third parties. Do you miss an important study, or did you read a hidden jewel that deserves to be shared with your colleagues? Please, let us know (editor@bjmo.be) and we will make sure to include it in the journal scan section of the next BJMO issue.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(3):100–3)

New oncology reimbursements in Belgium

OVERVIEW OF BELGIAN REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(3):104)

New oncology reimbursements in Belgium

OVERVIEW OF BELGIAN REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(2):66)

Highlights in hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer

SABCS 2022 featured a plethora of interesting presentations in the field of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC). In the early disease setting, updated results were presented for the MonarchE trial, evaluating adjuvant abemaciclib + endocrine therapy (ET). Results were also presented for the SWOG S1207 study, assessing the addition of everolimus to adjuvant ET, together with 12-year results of TAILORx. A final early-stage study evaluated the Breast Cancer Index as a tool to select pre-menopausal patients for whom ovarian function suppression (OFS) will likely not be beneficial. In the advanced setting, the RIGHT Choice study assessed ribociclib plus ET in patients with aggressive forms of metastatic HR+ BC. Several novel treatment strategies were also evaluated in the metastatic HR+ setting. CAPItello-291 tested the AKT inhibitor capivasertib plus fulvestrant (CAPItello-291), while several other studies addressed the use of selective oestrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) in this setting. Finally, an analysis of the phase III TROPICS-2 study was presented evaluating the efficacy of Sacituzumab Govitecan in function of Trop-2 expression levels.

Highlights in HER2-positive breast cancer

For patients with early-stage Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC), the most important data presented at SABCS 2022 consisted of the final results of the phase III PEONY study. Results of this trial add to the existing body of evidence demonstrating the benefit of the pertuzumabtrastuzumab-docetaxel regimen in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer (EBC). In the metastatic setting, trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) was once again the center of the attention with the presentation of data from the DESTINY-Breast02, DESTINY-Breast03 and ROSET-BM trials. Finally, several studies assessed the possibility of chemotherapy-free regimens for the treatment of HER2-positive, hormone receptor (HR)- positive metastatic BC.

Advances in local therapy for patients with early-stage breast cancer

During SABCS 2022, several abstracts were dedicated to advances in local therapy for patients with earlystage breast cancer (BC). A first trial assessed the impact of breast conserving therapy on local recurrence in patients with multiple ipsilateral BC. Next, the OPBC-04/EUBREAST-06/OMA study evaluated the oncological outcomes following sentinel lymph node biopsy or targeted axillary dissection after downstaging with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In addition to this, POLAR was identified as a genomic classifier that is not only prognostic for locoregional recurrence but also predictive for a benefit of radiotherapy. Finally, hypofractionated regimens of radiotherapy were studied

Miscellaneous news from SABCS

This final article discussing highlights from SABCS 2022 summarizes some of the presentations that did not fit in the categories discussed earlier. This summary will address the results of three clinical trials evaluating neoadjuvant treatment strategies in HER2-negative early breast cancer together with the data from the POSITIVE trial, evaluating the safety of interrupting endocrine therapy to facilitate pregnancy panning in younger women with breast cancer.