More Isn’t Always Better in Breast Cancer Treatment

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is gratifying to share a positive update on groundbreaking advancements in breast cancer care. The journey through breast cancer is a challenging one, but the good news is that women are surviving breast cancer in greater numbers than ever before. Innovative treatments play a significant role in these increasing survival rates. But, when women are weighing the pros and cons of a breast cancer treatment plan, it’s important to understand that more is not always better.

For example, women diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast, even at early stages, often choose to undergo a double mastectomy out of fear that the cancer might spread to the other breast. But the latest findings from a double mastectomy trial, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, in July, show

that having both breasts removed when cancer is found in only one does not increase survival rates. (Importantly, the study notes that these results may not apply to those who test positive for the BRCA gene, which puts them at greater risk.)

Targeted therapy with drugs such as datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), and trilaciclib (Cosela) also illustrate the value of a less-is-more approach. Dato-DXd and HER3-DXd hone in on specific proteins within cancer cells. This precision means these treatments can be more effective, while sparing women many disruptive side effects. Similarly, trilaciclib, which is a CDK4/6 inhibitor, not only enhances the response to immunotherapy, it helps reduce the harsh impact of chemotherapy. Trilaciclib shows great promise particularly for women battling triple-negative breast cancer.

These milestones are not just beacons of hope. They allow physicians to select which patients would benefit the most from certain targeted therapies, thereby saving many other women from unnecessary chemotherapy or radiation. As a result, fewer women need multiple modalities of treatment, but can still look forward to the best survival statistics.

The post More Isn’t Always Better in Breast Cancer Treatment appeared first on University Health News.

Read Original Article: More Isn’t Always Better in Breast Cancer Treatment »