Search Page

PURPOSE: Agents targeting HR-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer have improved patient outcomes compared with conventional single-agent endocrine therapy. Currently, approved targeted agents include everolimus and three CDK4/6 inhibitors, palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib. ...

The use of cytotoxic chemotherapy in both advanced and early stage breast cancer has made significant progress in the last 10 years with several landmark studies identifying clear survival benefits for newer therapies. ...Increased improvements in the use of a panel of biomarkers will thus not only move us towards tailored therapies but will also spare a group of patients that do not benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. ...

However, the use of tamoxifen is considered contraindicated during pregnancy, because of a limited number of case reports demonstrating potential adverse effects on the fetus. ...Patients should be counseled about the use of tamoxifen during pregnancy instead of presenting it as being absolutely contraindicated....

Nonetheless, the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has increased over the years, suggesting that patients in Europe and United States may receive ADT in cases of lower disease burden, and not always according to evidence based indications. ...Thus, there is a need for more effective, specific and well tolerated agents which can provide a longer and good quality of life while avoiding the side effects related to disease and treatment morbidity.After mentioning the current knowledge on the endocrinology of androgens and androgen receptor, relevant to PC development, as well as the possible events occurring during PC initiation, we will compare different hormonal compounds available for the treatment of PC, both from a pharmacological standpoint, and in terms of contemporary clinical indications....

The primary care physician will thus play an increasing role in the routine care, surveillance, and treatment of issues associated with anti-hormonal therapy. ...KEY POINTS: ■ Hormone-positive bca is the most prevalent form of bca and, compared with the other subtypes, is usually associated with better survival.■ Survivorship has significantly increased for all stages of hormone-positive bca, making the primary care physician a key player in the care of affected patients.■ The two most common classes of anti-hormonal agents used in these patients are selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors. ...