Keypoints:

1. INSEMA Study: Explore the findings on the potential omission of axillary surgery in early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and its implications for patient quality of life.
2. KEYNOTE-522 Update: Learn about the latest insights on the use of Pembrolizumab in triple-negative breast cancer, including the search for predictive biomarkers and the impact of achieving pathological complete response (PCR).
3. OlympiA Study Update: Discover the updated results on the use of Olaparib in BRCA-positive patients, highlighting its significant benefits in invasive disease-free survival and overall survival.
In this episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast, Drs. Rahul & Rohit Gosain had the pleasure of discussing key highlights from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2024 with Dr. Laura Huppert from UCSF. We focused on three significant studies that are shaping the landscape of breast cancer treatment.
First, we delved into the INSEMA Study, which explored the potential to omit axillary surgery in early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients. Dr. Huppert explained that this large randomized trial found no significant difference in invasive disease-free survival between patients who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy and those who did not. Importantly, patients who skipped surgery reported fewer complications and better quality of life. However, we noted the need for longer follow-up to fully understand the implications of this approach, especially considering the potential for undetected positive nodes.
Next, we shifted our attention to the KEYNOTE-522 study, which evaluates the use of pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy for patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Huppert highlighted the recent updates regarding biomarkers and the ongoing challenge of identifying which patients would benefit most from pembrolizumab. Despite some interesting trends, no clear predictive biomarkers were identified, reinforcing the current standard of care for all eligible patients.
Finally, we discussed the OlympiA trial, which provided an update on the use of olaparib in BRCA-positive patients. Dr. Huppert shared that the trial demonstrated a significant improvement in invasive disease-free survival and overall survival at six years, affirming the efficacy of olaparib in this high-risk population. We also touched on the importance of genetic counseling and testing for patients to ensure they have access to these life-saving therapies.
In summary, this episode provided valuable insights into the evolving treatment strategies for breast cancer, emphasizing the balance between improving patient quality of life and ensuring effective long-term outcomes. We hope you find this discussion informative and look forward to sharing more updates in future episodes. Thank you for tuning in!