Akshaya Keerti, International Council Deputy Director at Federation of Medical Students Association (FMSA), shared on LinkedIn:
“I recently completed the CME program.
‘Show Me the Data™: Personalizing First-Line and Maintenance Therapy in HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer to Extend Survival and Elevate Quality of Life.’ – and it left me reflecting on how far we’ve come, and how far we still need to go.
As a physician treating breast cancer patients, HER2-positive metastatic disease has always stood out to me. It represents both remarkable scientific progress and persistent clinical challenges.
What was once considered one of the more aggressive subtypes now has multiple targeted options-but despite these advances, metastatic disease remains incurable, and many patients still face progression, resistance, and treatment-related toxicities.
This program, led by Dr. Sara Hurvitz, Dr. Michelle Melisko, and Dr Paolo Tarantino, did an excellent job of translating evolving data into real-world decision-making. I’m especially grateful to the faculty for such a thoughtful and clinically grounded discussion.
What resonated most with me was the shift from ‘what is the standard treatment?‘ to ‘what is the right treatment for this particular patient?‘
The nuances of sequencing therapies, individualizing maintenance strategies, and balancing survival outcomes with quality of life are where oncology truly becomes both a science and an art.
It also reinforced an important reality:
Even with breakthroughs like HER2-targeted therapies and antibody-drug conjugates, the burden of metastatic HER2+ breast cancer is still significant-clinically, emotionally, and socially. That’s exactly why these conversations-and continued learning-matter.
Grateful for opportunities like this that challenge me to think deeper about patient-centered care and precision oncology.”
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