Virtual Tumor Board: Optimizing Personalized Care Plans for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer

STATEMENT OF NEED

Breast cancer accounts for approximately 30% of cancer diagnoses among women in the United States and is the second-leading cause of cancer death in this population (ACS, 2020). Although many women benefit from regular screening as well as earlier and improved treatment, approximately 6% present with metastatic disease, and up to 30% with no initial lymph node involvement eventually develop metastatic disease (Siegel et al, 2020; Mortensen et al, 2018). Women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) have a poorer prognosis than the overall population of breast cancer patients, and issues such as refractory or resistant disease, cumulative toxicities, adverse events, depression, and financial hardship are often encountered (Mortensen et al, 2018). Despite progress in understanding the pathogenesis of MBC and advances in therapy, the 5-year overall survival rate remains only 27% (Siegel et al, 2020).

TARGET AUDIENCE

Oncologists, pathologists, oncology advanced practitioners, oncology nurses, and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of patients with MBC.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

1.) Assess predictive and prognostic markers that can inform personalized care plans for patients with MBC
2.) Evaluate current and emerging data on therapeutic approaches for HER2-positive, hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative, and triple-negative MBC
3.) Apply strategies to manage adverse events and optimize treatment outcomes of patients with MBC