Benjamin Walbaum, Medical Oncologist at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Breast Cancer Weekly Highlights | November 4–10, 2025
My personal selection of last week’s most interesting and relevant data presented – spanning radiotherapy, CDK4/6 inhibition, molecular profiling, and medical education.
1. Ten-Year Outcomes after Postmastectomy RT (SUPREMO Trial)
Phase III (n=1607) in intermediate-risk patients.
PMRT reduced locoregional recurrence by <2% (1.1% vs 2.5%; HR 0.45), but no OS difference at 10 years (81.4% vs 81.9%).
2. Multiomic Predictors of pCR in HER2-Enriched Early BC (WSG-Keyriched-1)
Pembrolizumab + trastuzumab + pertuzumab without chemotherapy (n=42).
pCR = 47.6%; up to 66.7% in immune-active tumors (IFNγ/CD8⁺/ERBB2/IDO1).
PR– tumors → pCR 90%.
Suggests potential for “chemo-free” strategies in selected HER2-E tumors.
3. In Defense of Adjuvant CDK4/6 Inhibitors
Editorial revisiting abemaciclib (monarchE) & ribociclib (NATALEE) data.
Discusses duration, financial toxicity, censoring biases, and rebuts accelerated resistance concerns.
4. HER2DX in Older Patients (RESPECT Trial Update)
In ≥70 y (n=154/266), HER2DX identified 74% as low-risk (10-y RFS 77.9%).
Node-negative, low-risk + trastuzumab alone → excellent outcomes (10-y OS 81%).
Supports chemo de-escalation in elderly HER2⁺ patients.
5. Adjuvant Chemo after Resected LRR in HR+/HER2– BC
Multicenter Japanese cohort (n=958).
Median 9.5 y between surgery & recurrence.
Chemo improved iDFS (HR 0.70; p = 0.045), mainly in non-ipsilateral recurrences.
6. Age & Chemo Dose Reductions (10,166 Patients)
Older women (>75 y) had 4.8× higher odds of initial dose <90% and 1.9× higher risk of reduced intensity.
Highlights need for individualized dosing + supportive care in older adults.
7. Elacestrant Outcomes in ESR1-Mutant mBC
42K RW cases → 756 ESR1m pts (76% CDK4/6i pretreated).
Median TTNT 6.4 mo (8.8 mo in ≤1 prior line).
Poly-ESR1 → shorter TTNT (5.2 mo, HR 1.44).
PI3K/AKT/PTEN co-alterations did not affect benefit.
8. Breast Reconstruction in Inflammatory BC
Retrospective (1997–2023, n=248).
Delayed reconstruction (19.8%) improved satisfaction & well-being (BREAST-Q 29→63; p<0.001) and was oncologically safe.
Bonus: Critical Thinking for 21st-Century Medicine
Editorial urging rethinking medical education beyond memorization.
Highlights physiopathologic reasoning plus AI as cognitive support tools.”
Read more posts featuring Benjamin Walbaum on OncoDaily.
