Developments in early breast cancer reported at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress are discussed by Dr Lisa Carey of University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Dr Carey begins with 5-year results from the KEYNOTE-522 study in patients with early triple-negative breast cancer in which the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab was incorporated into combination therapy both pre- and postoperatively. The new findings were consistent with earlier results, showing that pembrolizumab improved pathologic complete response (pCR) and event-free survival.
Turning to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive (HER2+) disease, Dr Carey discusses the PHERGain trial's use of a genomic assay to define risk and predict pCR. She suggests that such assays could lead to tailored therapy for HER2+ patients.
On estrogen receptor–positive (ER+)/HER2- disease, Dr Carey reports first on KEYNOTE-756, which examined the addition of pembrolizumab to combination therapy for high-risk patients in both the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Pembrolizumab improved pCR compared with placebo.
Dr Carey closes by discussing another study in high-risk ER+/HER2- disease. Similar in design to KEYNOTE-756, CheckMate 7FL found that nivolumab added to combination therapy again augmented pCR results.
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Lisa A. Carey, MD, Distinguished Professor or Breast Cancer Research, University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; Professor, Division of Medical Oncology, Bassnight North Carolina Cancer Hospital, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Lisa A. Carey, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.