Novel Breast Cancer Therapies: Antibody-Drug Conjugates

STATEMENT OF NEED

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, with an estimated 15% of cases being human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)"positive and 12% being triple-negative (ACS, 2019). Antibody-drug conjugates have revolutionized the treatment of HER2-positive, triple-negative, and, most recently, HER2-low unresectable or metastatic breast cancer. These drugs combine a tumor antigen"targeted monoclonal antibody with a cytotoxic payload to permit the selective delivery of the chemotherapeutic agent to cells expressing the targeted antigen (Corti et al, 2021). With the recent approval of trastuzumab deruxtecan for HER2-low breast cancer, the number of patients who may benefit from antibody-drug conjugate therapy has expanded into populations with HER2 expression too low to be considered HER2-positive (Modi et al, 2022). In this session, Julie LaBarbera, NP, will discuss the increasing use of antibody-drug conjugates in breast cancer, including the approval of sacituzumab govitecan and the expanded approval of trastuzumab deruxtecan for HER2-low breast cancer, as well as monitoring for and managing the unique side effects of these highly efficacious treatments.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Oncology nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, oncologists, and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of patients with breast cancer.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to
Assess the indications and safety and efficacy profiles of novel antibody-drug conjugates for breast cancer
Evaluate clinical tools for assessing and grading adverse events associated with novel antibody-drug conjugates
Apply strategies to optimize the safety and tolerability of novel antibody-drug conjugates
Develop educational strategies to help patients understand the benefits and risks of their breast cancer treatment plan