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Researchers Test New Way To Treat Breast Cancer—and It’s Not Chemotherapy

Researchers Test New Way To Treat Breast Cancer—and It’s Not Chemotherapy

Summary

Researchers tested a new treatment for a certain type of breast cancer that does not use chemotherapy. This treatment combined four targeted drugs and showed promising results in patients with a specific aggressive breast cancer type.

Key Facts

  • The study involved patients with metastatic breast cancer that is both HER2-positive and hormone receptor (HR) positive.
  • HER2-positive breast cancer grows faster due to a specific protein, while HR-positive cancer needs hormones like estrogen or progesterone to grow.
  • The treatment combined anastrozole, palbociclib, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab as a first treatment option.
  • Scientists aimed to reduce the use of chemotherapy to lower side effects while keeping treatment effective.
  • 97% of patients benefited during the first six months, and after about three years, 93% were still alive.
  • Some patients had long-lasting responses, with one on the treatment for over six years.
  • Side effects included low white blood cell counts, diarrhea, and anemia, but only one patient stopped treatment due to side effects.
  • This study was small and more research with larger groups is needed to confirm results.
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