Daniel Abravanel, MD, PhD, and Otto Metzger, MD, discuss advances in research and treatment for patients with estrogenreceptor (ER)positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer, the most common subtype of breast cancer.

Dr. Abravanel provides an overview of how researchers are working to understand why this disease often becomes resistant to endocrine therapies and how that resistance can be overcome. Evidence points to changes in the structure of the ER that allow it to function in spite of treatment, or to the switchingon of other cell growth pathways, or to the loss of the ER entirely. Investigators are beginning to use information about the genetic makeup of ER+ tumors to identify patients who are most likely to be helped by drugs being tested in clinical trials.

Dr. Metzger discusses advances in treatment for ER+ breast cancer, including:
• Hormonal therapy seeks to deprive cells of estrogen growth signals
• CDK4/6 inhibitors halt the cycle of cell division, complement the effects of hormonal therapy, have the potential to boost the immune response to the cancer
• PI3K inhibitors target a specific protein on cancer cells, can reverse resistance to hormonal therapy in some patients

For more information about clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer, please visit https://www.danafarber.org/metastati...

This information was presented at the EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Forum at DanaFarber in October 2019.

EMBRACE (Ending Metastatic Breast Cancer for Everyone) is a DanaFarber Cancer Institute program designed to offer metastatic breast cancer patients the best care possible by combining our expertise in clinical care and clinical research. As part of the program, our patients are offered a variety of supportive care resources and presented with emerging clinical trial opportunities in a personalized and ongoing basis. If you live a distance away, our care team can also collaborate with you and your local oncologist during your treatment. Near or far, we are here to provide active, continuous care to help you achieve the highest possible quality of life and make informed decisions about your care.

For more information about the EMBRACE Program, please visit https://www.danafarber.org/metastati...