Breast Cancer

Combining the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax (Venclexta) with endocrine therapy elicited notable activity with a tolerable safety profile in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)–positive and BCL-2–positive metastatic breast cancer.

Younger patients with breast cancer who had lumpectomies reported higher quality of life (QOL) than those who underwent mastectomies, according to results of a survey of 560 women.

Chemotherapy for breast cancer caused significantly more acute symptoms as compared with endocrine therapy, although the adverse effects of endocrine therapy increased over time, according to an updated analysis of the phase III TAILORx trial.

U3-1402, an investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting HER3, induced objective response in more than 40% of heavily pretreated patients with HER3-expressing breast cancer, according to results presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

CT-P6, a proposed biosimilar to trastuzumab, exhibited long-term disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) similar to the reference product in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting the tyrosine kinase receptor ROR1 can be transferred into patients safely and the cells expand in vivo, according to first in-human study of CAR T cells in patients with solid tumors.

Women between the ages of 30 and 39 who have at least 1 of 3 breast cancer risk factors may benefit from starting their annual mammography screening at age 30, according to results from a large-scale study that was presented at the 2018 Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting.

Early-stage breast cancer survivors who completed a telephone-based lifestyle intervention program tended to have higher rates of disease-free survival (DFS), according to recent research presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).

Improvements observed in progression-free survival and overall survival with the addition of first-line atezolizumab (Tecentriq) to nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) or inoperable locally advanced TNBC are exclusive to those patients with PD-L1 expression ≥1% in immune cells, according to a biomarker subgroup analysis of the phase III IMpassion130 study.1

Julie Pederson, BSW, RN, OCN, CBCN, provides an overview of developments in research on lymphedema treatments.

The FDA has approved trastuzumab-pkrb (Herzuma, Celltrion) as a biosimilar to trastuzumab (Herceptin, Genentech).

Delayed treatment with chemotherapy of more than 30 days after surgery for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with worse survival rates and outcomes than those who receive adjuvant chemotherapy within 30 days of their procedure, according to findings from a retrospective study performed in Peru presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).

Oxybutynin helped to improve quality of life among women who could not take hormone replacement therapy in survivorship by reducing the frequency and intensity of hot flashes.

A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing set out to better understand the interpersonal communication components of breast cancer navigation services.

A study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery described a surgical procedure called prepectoral breast reconstruction that was used among patients who had mastectomies and radiation therapy following their breast cancer diagnosis.

The optimal duration of treatment for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer has been called into question by recent findings from the NSABP B-52, PERSEPHONE, and APT clinical trials.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted a priority review to atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in combination with nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) for frontline use in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) whose disease expresses the PD-L1 protein.

There is an increasing need for board-certified genetic counselors in the United States, says Stephanie A. Cohen, MS, LCGC, and she is looking to nurses to help improve patient access to hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic testing.

An 11-year study showed that patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer who learned to manage their stress with cognitive behavioral interventions had less depression and a better quality of life.

Low NR2F1 expression in disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) that is found in bone marrow may be indicative of developing metastatic breast cancer, according to results of a study published in Breast Cancer Research.

Elderly women living in nursing homes who were diagnosed with breast cancer may face a greater chance of death compared with their non-resident peers–despite what, for many in other age groups, is routine surgery. Therefore, the decision to perform breast cancer surgery must lie with the patient, family, and her physician.

Tiki Barber, former NFL running back and radio host, explains how he feels about oncology nurses, who helped his mother through her breast cancer experience.

This article reviews the types of genes included in multigene panels for breast cancer, and the risks associated with those genes.

The FDA has approved talazoparib (Talzenna) for patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, according to Pfizer, the manufacturer of the PARP inhibitor.

Though having well-fitting wigs and prostheses may seem like secondary concerns to some, providing these items—and a safe environment within which to learn about them—can go a long way in helping a patient feel supported and positive about their appearance while they are receiving treatment.

In an effort to help individuals gain access to breast health services, Barbells for Boobs and CancerCare®, the leading national cancer support organization, have officially launched the NYC Support Line.

As oncology nurses, we are uniquely positioned to proactively address the disparity in breast cancer mortality in the United States.

Nurses share the latest procedures in postmastectomy reconstruction and how to support women in recovery.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers to make informed decisions about donating to breast cancer charities that businesses claim to be supporting during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.