Endocrine therapy (ET) has long been the therapeutic mainstay for first-line treatment of HR+/HER2- breast cancer. Yet, approximately one third of patients exhibit primary or acquired ET resistance, and some patients progress within 2 years after adjuvant ET. Resistance to endocrine therapy is a major challenge for a significant number of patients who go on to develop metastatic breast cancer.
Dr Jennifer Litton from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, reports on current treatment recommendations and supporting research on the use of endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors in both the metastatic and, more recently, the high-risk, early HR+/HER2- breast cancer settings.
Dr Litton also reviews key drivers of endocrine resistance, including somatic mutations such as ESR1. She emphasizes the need for next-generation testing in patients with metastatic HR+/HER2- disease to look for evidence of resistance, which may have implications for the next line of therapy.
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Professor, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Jennifer K. Litton, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Clinical Care Options; Med Learning Group; Medpage; Medscape; PRIME; Physicians Education Resource; UpToDate