Future Directions for Monitoring Treatment Responses in Breast Cancer

Abstract

In the prior review, we outlined the current standard of care for monitoring treatment responses in breast cancer and discussed the many challenges associated with these strategies. We described the challenges faced in common clinical settings such as the adjuvant setting, neoadjuvant setting, and the metastatic setting. In this review, we will expand upon future directions meant to overcome several of these current challenges. We will also explore several new and promising methods under investigation to enhance how we monitor treatment responses in breast cancer. Furthermore, we will highlight several new technologies and techniques for monitoring breast cancer treatment in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic setting.

Special Issue on Current Challenges and Future Directions in Monitoring Responses after Treatment of Primary Cancer

“…Articles contributed by George E. Peoples' group have concluded that there are several opportunities to improve how we monitor response to breast cancer treatment 5 , 6 . Only by understanding the current standard of practice regarding all aspects of treatment can we begin to advance the field in a meaningful way.…”

“…Several fields of cancer care including surgical, radiation and medical oncology, pathology, and radiology work together within integrated practice units to ensure proper study design, selection and coordination of care. They sought to provide a broad overview of these various fields of cancer care, and we believe that future real-world and nimble clinical trials will need to be performed in various clinical pathways discussed in order to provide more granularity and an accelerated pace of discovery for breast cancer researchers 5 , 6 . The current paradigm of first testing new techniques or technologies in the metastatic setting prior to implementation in the adjuvant setting has been challenged by researchers who are committed to accelerating the speed of progress in breast cancer research.…”

“…The current paradigm of first testing new techniques or technologies in the metastatic setting prior to implementation in the adjuvant setting has been challenged by researchers who are committed to accelerating the speed of progress in breast cancer research. Clearly, several opportunities exist to enhance breast cancer care by performing research in the neo-adjuvant setting as outlined in the work presented by Peoples' group 5 , 6 .…”

“…Together, these reports clearly indicate that, despite various guidelines currently in use, including RECIST Criteria, MDA Criteria, PET/CT evaluations, NICE guidelines, some of which are well established, not one applies universally across solid organ cancers 1 - 6 . Therefore, personalized and precision medicine-based approaches are warranted.…”