Dr. Kalinsky on Chemotherapy for Premenopausal Patients With HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer

Kevin Kalinsky, MD, MS, associate professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, director, Glenn Family Breast Center, Breast Medical Oncology, Louisa and Rand Glenn Family Chair in Breast Cancer Research, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, discusses the role of chemotherapy with ovarian function suppression and hormonal therapy for premenopausal patients withhormone receptor (HR)–positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.

Genomic assays have established clinical utility for patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer, including those with node-negative disease and node-positive disease, where 1 to 3 lymph nodes are involved, Kalinsky explains.

However, questions remain from the phase 3 TAILORx trial (NCT00310180), including whether high-risk, premenopausal patients require chemotherapy in addition to ovarian function suppression plus hormonal therapy, Kalinsky explains. A recently approved, National Cancer Institute–sponsored trial will evaluate hormonal therapy plus ovarian function suppression with or without chemotherapy in a randomized setting, Kalinsky adds.

Studies like the randomized trial will further evaluate if high-risk, premenopausal patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer require chemotherapy, Kalinsky concludes