Combo Cancer Drugs Outperform Chemo Alone in Key Breast Cancer Subgroups

Recent research presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting shows that antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) significantly improve outcomes for certain breast cancer patients when used alongside chemotherapy.

For patients with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer who cannot get immunotherapy, Trodelvy extended median progression-free survival to 9.7 months, compared to 6.9 months with standard chemo. Meanwhile, Datroway boosted both overall survival (24 versus 19 months) and progression-free survival (11 versus 6 months).

Also, for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, Enhertu improved disease-free survival when given before surgery compared to standard therapy. These findings suggest that combining targeted antibodies with chemo may reshape treatment strategies.

Furthermore, researchers reported that a simple blood test measuring circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) could help doctors tailor chemotherapy intensity. Patients with low ctDNA did well on lighter treatment and faced fewer side-effects.

Together, these advances point to more personalized and effective breast cancer treatments, offering hope for better outcomes with potentially fewer burdens.