History of SABCS: Key Milestones

Established in 1978 by Drs. William McGuire and Charles Coltman, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) began as a small meeting in San Antonio, Texas, with fewer than 50 attendees. Despite its modest start, it featured notable speakers like Drs. Bernard Fisher and Marc Lippman.
By introducing abstract presentations to connect clinicians and researchers, SABCS quickly gained prominence, moving to larger venues and attracting thousands of participants from over 100 countries by the late 1990s, becoming the world’s leading breast cancer research meeting.

In 1998, SABCS featured the ATAC trial, which marked a major advancement in hormone therapy. The study showed that anastrozole was more effective than tamoxifen for postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. It reduced cancer recurrence and had fewer side effects, offering patients a safer and more effective option. By 2005, SABCS presented the results for trastuzumab (Herceptin), a breakthrough for HER2-positive breast cancer. Herceptin reduced the risk of cancer returning by 50%, significantly improving survival for women with this aggressive subtype.

In 2012, the TAILORx trial introduced a new era of personalized treatment. It proved that women with hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer and low Oncotype DX scores could safely avoid chemotherapy, relying on hormone therapy alone. This spared many patients from unnecessary treatment and its harsh side effects.The 2014 introduction of CDK4/6 inhibitors, such as palbociclib, brought hope to women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. These targeted therapies slowed cancer progression by about 50%, allowing patients to live longer with a better quality of life.

The KEYNOTE-522 trial (2019), led by Dr. Sherene Loi, assessed pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy for early-stage TNBC. Results showed a 64.8% complete remission rate before surgery compared to 51.2% with chemotherapy alone, providing new hope for patients with this challenging subtype.
In 2022, the DESTINY-Breast04 trial transformed treatment for HER2-low breast cancer, a group with limited options. The results showed that trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) significantly slowed cancer progression and extended survival, offering new hope for patients.

SABCS Mission and Vision 

A core value of SABCS is innovation, serving as a platform for presenting research and facilitating the rapid transition of new knowledge from the laboratory to clinical practice. Patient-centered research is integral to SABCS’s mission, with the symposium’s program designed to provide state-of-the-art information on various aspects of breast cancer, etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.
Through its commitment to innovation, patient-centered research, and global collaboration, SABCS continues to play a pivotal role in the fight against breast cancer, influencing practice-changing guidelines, inspiring novel studies, and fostering international partnerships that drive the field forward.

How SABCS Advances Breast Cancer Research

SABCS’s collaborative environment drives innovation by connecting diverse stakeholders and facilitating the dissemination of cutting-edge findings. This approach has enabled significant advancements in breast cancer treatment, shaping clinical practice and improving outcomes for patients globally.

The IMpassion130 trial (2018), led by Dr. Peter Schmid, evaluated the combination of atezolizumab with nab-paclitaxel for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The study demonstrated a 38% improvement in progression-free survival, offering patients extended time without disease progression and marking a milestone in immunotherapy for breast cancer.
At SABCS 2021, Dr. Fabrice André presented findings from the SAFIR trials, highlighting the role of genomic profiling in guiding personalized treatments for metastatic breast cancer. Outcomes improved for 42% of patients, reducing unnecessary therapies and emphasizing the importance of actionability in treatment decisions.
In 2023, Dr. Nicholas Turner shared research on genomic and transcriptomic profiling for HR-positive, HER2-negative, high-risk early breast cancer patients. The study supported the use of abemaciclib, which reduced the risk of cancer recurrence by 30%, offering patients a greater chance of remaining cancer-free.

SABCS 2024: Key Details

The 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) was held from December 10th to 13th, 2024, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

• Advances in Early Detection: Study on Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Dr. E. Shelley Hwang presented findings indicating that active monitoring of low-risk DCIS is as effective as surgery in preventing progression to invasive cancer over two years. In the trial involving 957 women, invasive cancer rates were 5.9% in the surgery group and 4.2% in the monitoring group, a difference that was not statistically significant.
• New Treatments: Pfizer’s Ibrance (Palbociclib): Dr. Otto Metzger reported that adding Ibrance to standard treatment extended progression-free survival by 15 months in patients with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. The median time to disease progression was 44.3 months with Ibrance, compared to 29.1 months with standard treatment alone.
• Clinical Trial Data: Trends in Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Research presented by Dr. Debra Monticciolo highlighted a significant increase in late-stage breast cancer diagnoses in the U.S. from 2004 to 2021. The incidence of metastatic breast cancer at diagnosis rose by an average of 1.16% per year, with the most substantial annual increase of 2.9% observed in women aged 20 to 39.

Breakthrough Research from Past SABCS Meetings

At the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), Dr. Fergus Couch presented groundbreaking findings on variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in the BRCA2 gene, utilizing advanced CRISPR/Cas9 technology. In this comprehensive study, supported by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), Dr. Couch and his team simultaneously analyzed over 7,000 VUS within the DNA-binding domain of the BRCA2 gene, a region accounting for about one-third of the entire gene.
Out of the 7,000 variants, the team classified 785 variants as pathogenic or likely pathogenic, meaning these are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. An additional 5,569 variants were determined to be benign or likely benign, indicating no significant impact on cancer risk. This study provides actionable insights, particularly for individuals carrying one of the 785 pathogenic variants, offering improved risk prediction and potentially guiding preventive care or treatment strategies.
Significantly, this research expands understanding of VUS in non-white populations, addressing a longstanding gap in genetic research as most prior studies focused on white women.

Additionally, Dr. Judy Garber, Scientific Director at BCRF, presented long-term findings from the OlympiA trial (NCT02032823). This study evaluated the addition of one year of olaparib  a PARP inhibitor, after standard treatment for high-risk breast cancer in patients with pathogenic germline BRCA variants.
Follow-up over six years demonstrated sustained benefits, with a 4.4% improvement in overall survival (87.5% vs. 83.1%) compared to standard care alone.
The trial also reported an improvement of 9.4% in invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) and 7.8% in distant disease-free survival (DDFS), showing durable protection against cancer recurrence in this high-risk population.

How to Prepare for SABCS 

Here are some quick tips to maximize your SABCS 2025 experience

• Register Early: Secure discounted rates and your spot for popular sessions.
• Plan Your Sessions: Use the SABCS app to customize your schedule and stay updated.
• Network: Take part in interactive sessions and social events to connect with peers and experts.
• Accommodation: Book through the official SABCS housing provider for the best rates.
• Prepare for On-Site: Speakers should use the Speaker Ready Room for session prep. Patient advocates have dedicated spaces for support

SABCS 2025: What to Expect