Coverage from San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2020

Since 1977, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium has aimed to provide state-of-the-art information on breast cancer research. In 2020, the 43rd annual conference will be held virtually from December 8-11. Attendees will have access to thousands of scientific abstracts encompassing the latest clinical, translational, and basic research. SABCS 2020 is a chance for you to enhance your practice through educational and networking opportunities. Check out highlights from the upcoming conference to help you make the most of your experience.

Featured Content

Adjuvant Chemo Adds No Benefit for Postmenopausal Women With Early Breast Cancer

Postmenopausal women with the most common form of early breast cancer may see no added benefit by receiving adjuvant chemotherapy; however, their premenopausal counterparts may show improved invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Adding Checkpoint Inhibitor Improves Responses Without Impacting Quality Of Life

Adding an immune checkpoint inhibitor to the standard chemotherapy regimen for patients with early-stage breast cancer places no greater burden on patients’ ability to perform day-to-day activities than chemotherapy alone, according to new research by Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center investigators.

Persistent Drug Use After Mastectomy & Reconstructive Surgery

Women who have undergone mastectomy and reconstructive surgery may face an elevated risk for persistent use of opioids and sedative-hypnotic drugs than previously suspected, according to a retrospective cohort study presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), held virtually December 8-11, 2020.

Radiotherapy Side Effects Under-Recognized in Young, Black Breast Cancer Patients

The symptoms of side effects from radiotherapy often are under-recognized in breast cancer patients, in particular among those who are younger and Black.

Researchers ID Genetic Drivers of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

A number of newly identified genetic drivers behind brain metastases in patients with breast cancer were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (Abstract PD13-01).

Exploring Real-World Dataset of Pre/Perimenopausal Women in the POLARIS Study

Findings from a real-world analysis found that pre/perimenopausal women with HR+/HER2– advanced breast cancer are routinely treated with palbociclib-based regimens, according to a recent poster presentation at the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (PSY-19).

Orally Bioavailable SERD Shows Promise in Certain Breast Cancer Patients

A first-in-human, Phase I study is exploring D-0502 in women with advanced or metastatic HR-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer. This orally, bioavailable selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) is well-tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities observed, according to data presented at the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (Abstract PS11-26).

Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Depression in Younger Breast Cancer Survivors

New UCLA-led research shows that behavioral interventions—mindfulness meditation and survivorship education classes—are effective in reducing depressive symptoms in younger breast cancer survivors, who often experience the highest levels of depression, stress, and fatigue that can persist for as long as a decade after their diagnosis.

More Advanced, Aggressive Breast Cancers at Presentation After COVID-19

In the first 2 months after California issued a shelter-in-place order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, new patients diagnosed at a large integrated health care system presented with more advanced and aggressive breast cancers than during the same period in 2019, a researcher told colleagues at the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (Abstract SS2-06).