Latest news with #metastaticbreastcancer
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I spent almost $30,000 upgrading our garage to a dreamy laundry room. Now, doing laundry for my family of 7 feels peaceful.
When my stepmom died, I received an inheritance I wasn't expecting. I used nearly $30,000 to build the laundry room of my dreams for my family of seven. Now, I actually find doing laundry peaceful. "I had enough money but not enough time." That's what my stepmom said, multiple times through her two-decade journey with metastatic breast cancer. At 68, she finally passed away, leaving me, her two other young adult kids, four sisters, and friends. My mind was on how much she'd never get to see, and how to live differently myself, when I got the call that she'd left me money — and quite a bit of it. I hadn't expected a single thing, aside from a few mementos from her home to remember her by, and a boatload of childhood memories. I realized converting our small laundry room and garage into my dream laundry room was the answer. For a few months, I debated what to do with this money. I have five young children, and it would put a good dent in one of their college savings accounts. I could pay off a car or part of my house. I could go on an extravagant trip. But her common refrain about not having enough time to use the money she had saved rang in my head. Putting it into a savings account for decades down the road didn't quite feel right, but neither did blowing it on a single experience. I started letting myself dream about ways the money could be used for good, to make life easier, better, or more functional for my family. A pool came to mind, to make memories and enjoy every sunny day. I sat folding another mountain of clean laundry and thinking about it on what had been dubbed the "laundry couch" when it came to me. I'd build my dream laundry room to make my house more functional, liveable, and organized, where the garage then stood. We got to work. We budgeted around $20,000 for the project and got to work. Anyone who has added on to their house or converted an entire room knows it's no small deal. After paying down a few debts and putting some money in savings, my husband and I budgeted around $20,000 for this project. We worked with a longtime contractor friend's family business, and learned we would need to break down the wall that currently separated our tiny laundry room, where you couldn't even stand comfortably with a laundry basket, to open it up to the garage space behind it. I can now sort laundry while I watch my kids play. The garage door became a solid wall with insulation, and I invested in a big, beautiful window with a view of my backyard. After my stepmom's death, I paid more attention to small pleasures, like watching my kids climb the swingset while I sorted laundry. A lot of thought went into the design, and in the end, we spent close to $30,000. I picked wild, beautiful tiles to go above and below the cabinetry that housed clear pullout bins, where my family could sort their laundry into their own labeled bins. I purchased a second washer and dryer, and all four appliances are running every day, for much of the day, as my kids explore the forest and get muddy, come back from sports practices covered in sweat, and live their busy lives. Nearby, the "drop zone" holds their backpacks, shoes, school papers, socks, and things to keep safe, with an open locker-style cubby for each kid. In the end, we dipped into savings because cabinetry is much more expensive than you'd think, especially a room full of it. With appliances and extras, the project pushed closer to $30,000. Now, I actually enjoy doing laundry, and I have my stepmom to thank. Laundry used to be the bane of my existence. Now, I stand at a large folding table my contractor friend built by hand, in a peaceful room designed for my large family. I chat with my kids as we sort piles into the designated bins. I watch them race through the room after school, chucking their bags into their cubbies and barely murmuring "hi mom" before racing off again. Sometimes, I just hide from the chaos, fold my clothes, and remember. I can sense her spirit in the room, and a small heart pillow she had on her bed that I keep in there is a nod to her presence and part in building this space for our family. At those times, I know she'd be proud of how I used the money and of the life I'm building. Read the original article on Business Insider
Medscape
30-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Targeted but Toxic? Addressing the Safety Challenges of ADCs
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are an evolving class of targeted cancer therapy that combines a monoclonal antibody with a cytotoxic payload or agent via chemical linkers. Attaching the monoclonal antibody with the cytotoxic agent enables an ADC to target cancer cells, maximizing efficacy and minimizing off-target toxicity. Several ADCs, including HER2+, HR+, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes have shown significant efficacy in treating breast cancer. The ADCs currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and as an adjuvant treatment for HER2+ breast cancer include trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), patritumab-DXd, and sacituzumab govitecan (SG). Although ADCs have demonstrated significant efficacy, treatment-related toxicity, mainly from off-target effects of cytotoxic payloads and unintended bystander damage, remains a concern. A recent systemic review and meta-analysis by Zhu et al on ADCs found treatment-related adverse events of 91.2% for all-grade adverse events and 46.1% for grade ≥ 3 adverse events. Lymphopenia (53%) was the most common all ‐ grade adverse event, and neutropenia (31.2%) was the most common grade ≥ 3 adverse event. Approximately 13.2% of patients discontinued ADC treatment due to serious toxic events. This article discusses some of the common hematologic, cardiac, and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities/adverse events associated with ADCs and their management. Managing Hematologic Adverse Events Neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia are common hematologic toxicities associated with ADCs. The most common cytopenia associated with T-DXd is neutropenia. In the DESTINY-Breast03 trial, any-grade neutropenia was observed in 42.8% of patients taking T-DXd. Although grade 3 or higher neutropenia was reported in 19.1% of patients, the DESTINY-Breast01 trial reported only 1.6% of patients experienced febrile neutropenia associated with T-DXd. The incidence of all-grade neutropenia associated with T-DM1 across trials ranges from 5% to 11% with grade ≥ 3 neutropenia, including febrile neutropenia, occurring in up to 6% of patients. Neutropenia-associated with ADC toxicity can be managed through dose modifications and temporary treatment holds. Prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor can decrease the incidence, duration, and severity of neutropenia and is indicated for patients with a history of neutropenic complications. Since the risk of developing febrile neutropenia with T-DXd is low (≤ 10%), prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is typically not indicated. Regarding anemia, the EMILIA and TH3RESA trials reported the incidence of anemia associated with T-DM1 to be only 2.7%. However, findings from a randomized open-label phase 3 trial found grade 3 or higher anemia in 8.1% of patients receiving T-DXd. A phase 1/2 multicenter open-label study reported anemia in 18.7% of patients receiving patritumab-DXd, a HER3-directed ADC. A common approach to managing grades 3 and 4 anemia associated with ADCs involves withholding the treatment until anemia is lower than grade 2. The WSG-ADAPT, TH3RESA, and EMILIA trials found all-grade thrombocytopenia occurs in up to 28% of patients receiving T-DM1. The EMILIA trial reported severe thrombocytopenia in up to 12% of patients treated with T-DM1; the DESTINY-Breast03 trial reported grades 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia in 7% of patients receiving T-DXd; and a phase 2 study reported grades 3 or higher thrombocytopenia in 1.7% of patients receiving HER3-DXd. Managing thrombocytopenia involves reducing the dose of the ADC until patients recovery to grade 1 is achieved and continuing with the reduced dosage for the duration of treatment. Managing Cardiotoxicity Cardiotoxicity is a known adverse event of HER2-targeted therapies such as T-DM1 and T-DXd. HER2 receptors are usually expressed on cardiomyocytes and play a key role in normal fetal heart development and the growth and survival of adult cardiomyocytes. Preclinical studies suggest T-DM1 can exert more cardiotoxic effects than trastuzumab, though clinical evidence remains low. A pooled meta-analysis by Pondé et al of data from 1961 patients exposed to T-DM1 in seven trials found 3.37% experienced at least one cardiac event. Most of the events (2.04%) were grade 1 or 2 left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF); grade 4 LVEF events were rare. Although no specific guidelines exist for the management of T-DM1-associated cardiotoxicity, general recommendations for ADC treatment from the 2022 European Society of Cardiology Cardio-Oncology guidelines suggest a baseline ECG prior to treatment initiation and then echocardiography every 3 months thereafter, along with natriuretic peptide monitoring throughout treatment. Treatment interruption and reassessment are indicated for patients whose LVEF drops to ≥ 10% from pretreatment value or to < 40%. For T-DXd, cardiac events were minimal in DESTINY-Breast01 and Breast03 trials, with few patients experiencing reversible LVEF reductions; no events of heart failure were reported. However, the DESTINY-Breast04 trial showed that 11.9% of patients receiving T-DXd who had not been previously treated with an anti-HER2 agent had LVEF reductions of 10%-19%, and 1.5% had > 20%. Management of ADC-related cardiac events includes reducing or permanently withdrawing treatment. Following treatment interruption, ADCs may be resumed with increased monitoring if cardiac function recovers. Permanent discontinuation may be required for patients whose LVEF remains significantly low or who develop heart failure. Managing Gastrointestinal Toxicity Nausea and vomiting are two of the most common GI toxicities associated with T-DXd treatment. In the DESTINY-Breast03 trial, 72.8% (187 of 257) and 6.6% (17 of 257) of patients had any grade and grade ≥ 3 nausea, respectively, post-T-DXd treatment. Vomiting was also commonly reported, with 44.0% (113 of 257) and 1.6% (4 of 257) of patients experiencing any grade and grade ≥ 3 vomiting, respectively. Based on these findings and other clinical trial data, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice in Oncology guidelines reclassified T-DXd as highly emetogenic. The emetogenic classification of SG varies by guideline but is generally categorized as high-moderate or high. According to pooled analysis data by Pedersini et al, 65.6% and 43.7% of patients experienced nausea and vomiting, respectively, with SG therapy. Most cases of nausea and vomiting were grade 1 or 2, and approximately 10% were grade 3 or 4. T-DM1 is categorized as a low emetogenic since its associated toxicities are easier to manage. Prophylactic antiemetic therapy for nausea and vomiting associated with ADCs varies based on guidelines and emetogenic categorization. Due to their higher emetogenic risk, a 3- or 4-drug antiemetic regimen (eg, 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonist, dexamethasone, neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, olanzapine) is recommended for T-DXd and SG. Due to its low emetic risk, prophylactic antiemetics are not usually recommended for T-DM1 but may be considered based on a patient's individual risk factors. In general, dose interruption or modification is recommended for patients on T-DXd or SG who experience grades 3 or 4 nausea and vomiting until they recover to grade 1 toxicity. Treatment with SG may be permanently stopped if grade 3 or 4 toxicity lasts for more than 3 weeks. Diarrhea is another common GI adverse event associated with ADC use and is reported to occur in 59.7% of patients treated with SG, 30.2% with T-DXd, and 17.5% with T-DM1. Management for ADC-associated diarrhea includes loperamide, intravenous fluids, metoclopramide with or without dexamethasone, and olanzapine for refractory cases. Preventive strategies include dietary modifications (eg, high fiber diet), oral supplements and probiotics, and nutritional counseling. Managing Interstitial Lung Disease Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of lung disorders characterized by fibrosis or scarring of the lungs. Risk factors for the development of drug-induced ILD include increased age (≥ 60 years), smoking, pre-existing lung conditions, higher alcohol consumption, and renal failure. A pooled analysis of eight T-DXd monotherapy studies suggested 15.8% of the population developed ILD/pneumonitis with 77.7% experiencing grade 1 or 2 events. The DESTINY-Breast03 trial showed the incidence of drug-related ILD/pneumonitis with T-DXd to be lower at 10.5%. In phase 3 of the ASCENT trial, ILD associated with SG or T-DM1 was rare in patients with metastatic TNBC. In addition, the phase 1/2 study, U31402-A-J101, investigating HER3-DXd reported ILD in 6.6% of patients; most cases were grade 1 or 2, three were grade 3, and one was grade 5. Regular monitoring and assessment of patients are important to prevent ILD/pneumonitis. Per the current T-DXd ILD/pneumonitis guidelines, a computed tomography scan should be obtained prior to initiating ADC treatment and every 9-12 weeks thereafter during treatment. Patients who develop ILD/pneumonitis should undergo CT scans every 1-2 weeks (or as clinically indicated). In cases of suspected ILD/pneumonitis, consultation with a pulmonary specialist is recommended. Treatment for ILD/pneumonitis includes initiation of corticosteroid therapy immediately upon detection of grade ≥ 2 ILD/pneumonitis; corticosteroid treatment may be considered in patients with grade 1 ILD/pneumonitis. Guidelines for treating ILD/pneumonitis include starting corticosteroids immediately after detecting grade ≥ 2 ILD/pneumonitis and considering corticosteroid treatment in case of grade 1 cases. Future Directions Regular monitoring and prophylactic management are essential to reduce and mitigate ADC-related toxicities and maximize treatment benefits. Other toxicities associated with ADCs include neurological, embryo-fetal, ocular, and dermatological events. Continued research is needed to understand the mechanisms that contribute to ADC-related toxicities and provide additional management approaches to reduce risk. In addition, future research efforts should focus on the development of highly targeted therapeutics aimed at specific antigens, the creation of safer drug payloads, and the innovation of new linker technologies to reduce off-target effects. Novel ADCs are in development to enhance cancer immunotherapy by targeting immune cells or components of tumor microenvironment rather than tumor-associated antigens directly. These include immunostimulatory antibody conjugates that use immune-activating payloads (eg, Toll-like receptors 7 and 8, stimulators of interferon genes agonists) instead of traditional cytotoxins. Early clinical trials have evaluated immunostimulatory antibody conjugates against targets like HER2 and carcinoembryonic antigen. In addition, other ADCs are being developed to target elements of the tumor microenvironment such as T cells and fibroblasts. These novel approaches are likely to produce unique toxicity profiles, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of their safety as development progresses.
Medscape
20-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
ASCO 2025: New Standards Reshape Care in mBC
Heather McArthur, MD, describes how the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting brought exciting advances in the metastatic breast cancer space. In PD-L1-positive triple-negative breast cancer, sacituzumab govitecan combined with pembrolizumab significantly improved progression-free survival over standard chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab, quickly becoming a new standard of care. Similarly, in HER2-positive disease, trastuzumab deruxtecan combined with pertuzumab outperformed traditional THP therapy, offering a new frontline option. Overall, these findings signify a major shift in how to treat metastatic breast cancer.
National Post
17-06-2025
- Health
- National Post
Zetagen Therapeutics Announces Peer-reviewed Publication of In-Vivo Dose Optimization Findings for ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Liver Metastases
Article content (Patients with disseminated metastatic disease from breast cancer are likely to have liver involvement in >50% of cases at some point during disease progression. Article content These patients have poor prognosis; and, when treated with the standard of care systemic therapy they have a median survival of <9-months.) Article content Zetagen identifies two concentrations of ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) which were most effective in treating metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in the liver ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) exhibits significant decrease in tumor volume (4-fold) vs. control Doxorubicin ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) demonstrates a 3.9-fold increase in survival rate over control Doxorubicin with no lung or brain metastases. Article content SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Zetagen Therapeutics, a private, clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical company developing first-of-its-kind targeted therapies for primary and metastatic breast cancer, announced today the peer-reviewed publication in PLOS-One of their dose optimization in-vivo study results of ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005). Zetagen identified two concentrations of ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) which demonstrated superior effectiveness, reduction in tumor burden, and increased survival rate over control Doxorubicin. ' Patients with disseminated metastatic breast cancer involving the liver, face a poor prognosis and new approaches are urgently needed, ' stated Debasish Tripathy, MD, Professor and Chairman, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. ' Although some therapies have been designed for direct administration for liver metastases, they have not demonstrated efficacy in significantly improving survival. ZetaMast™ is an innovative therapeutic approach that has demonstrated systemic biological effects potentially extending beyond liver metastases in preclinical models, offering promising potential to enhance outcomes in this setting.' ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) Increased Survival in a Mouse Xenograft Liver Metastases Model. The 4T1, TNBC cell line, tagged with luc2 luciferase (4T1-luc2), was implanted directly into the liver of BALB/c mice. Seven days after tumor inoculation, mice were treated with various concentrations via a single administration of ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) (30-, 60-, 120-, 180-, 240-, or 480-μg) in combination with 5-mg/kg doxorubicin. Mice in the Control group received 5 mg/kg of doxorubicin and the ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) carrier without Zetagen's small molecule, administered every 72-hours. ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) has the ability to deliver Zetagen's small molecules intratumorally as well as other therapies, avoiding off-target side effects. 'Effective locoregional therapies are likely the key to reducing breast cancer mortality for patients with disseminated metastatic disease and increasing 5-year survival above 31%. If treatments like ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) can be given when and where needed, increasing the duration of overall tumor control, which may be enough to tip the balance towards a favorable impact on survival,' stated Bryan S. Margulies, MS, Ph.D., CSO of Zetagen. Article content About ZetaMAST™ (Zeta-MBC-005) Article content ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) is a proprietary drug eluting carrier designed for locoregional administration, controlled release of two small molecules in the treatment of multifocal, unresectable, liver metastases from breast cancer with the potential to increase survival rates. Article content The USPTO has granted Zetagen a 'Composition of Matter' patent for ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005), and Zetagen has also submitted a filing to the FDA for Orphan Drug Designation. Article content Zetagen is finalizing preparations for an FDA IND submission this fall, with a Phase 1b clinical trial set to commence early 2026. Article content About Zetagen Therapeutics Article content Zetagen has three novel drugs in development, Article content ZetaMet™ (Zeta-BC-003) Article content , for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer to bone, Article content ZetaMast™ (Zeta-MBC-005) Article content for breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM), and Article content (NEW) ZetaPrime™ (Zeta-PBC-007) Article content for the treatment of primary HR+ breast cancer, all with inspiring results. To learn more, visit Article content . Article content The FDA has acknowledged Zetagen's innovative research with multiple Breakthrough Designations, notably ZetaMet™ (Zeta-BC-003). Under FDA and Health Canada (HC) approval through the Expanded Access (Compassionate Use) programs, Zetagen has treated eight patients with ZetaMet™ (Zeta-BC-003), with results featured in several peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, Zetagen has completed enrollment for its Phase 2a open-label clinical trial focused on treating metastatic breast cancer in the spine. Article content Zetagen Upcoming Events Article content Zetagen will attend the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). Article content Forward-Looking Statements Article content This press release contains certain forward-looking statements with the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended, including those relating to the Company's product development, clinical and regulatory timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statements that are predictive in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and management's current beliefs and assumptions. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Investor Inquiries: Article content Article content Article content
ABC News
13-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Queensland second in world to identify women living with metastatic breast cancer
Brisbane mother Larissa Erzitech describes herself as an "invisible" cancer sufferer who, until now, had been absent from official statistics. Until recently, Queensland did not track how many people were living with metastatic breast cancer — also known as stage 4 — where the cancer has spread from its initial tumour to other parts of the body. Not being acknowledged meant the mother of two little boys, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38, had to battle her disease in a quiet corner, unable to access Medicare for some of her most vital medications. Her youngest son was just 9 months old when she first felt a lump in her breast, but with treatment, a year later she was told she was cancer free. She felt as if the health system decided sufferers would die long before they needed to access expensive, life-prolonging treatment. But two years ago came the devastating news the cancer had returned, and spread to her brain as a metastatic cancer. She is one of the youngest victims in Queensland living "with" the disease rather than dying from it. Ms Erzitech is one of nearly 4,000 people now formally identified as living with metastatic breast cancer thanks to a program for national reform spearheaded by Breast Cancer Network Australia and Cancer Alliance Queensland. Her journey has been brutal — she says the drugs she has been on have caused terrible side effects. "In our community, we joke that the side effects are like a game of whack-a-mole, as you never know what you're going to get and when they'll pop up," Ms Erzitech said. "Changes in my heart, ongoing fatigue, mild nausea, hair loss, low white blood cells and sore joints. "But you need to manage it very quickly to stay on the treatment. "It is all out of pocket expenses as the medications are not covered by Medicare." It was yet another consequence of being "invisible" when it came to data, along with an inability to access clinical trials or new "life-extending" treatment regimes. Ms Erzitech is now forced to grapple with the heartbreaking decision of when to tell her sons, now aged five and nine, that one day she will die. But she also has a little hope that by being "officially" counted in the statistics, the Queensland health system can plan services, direct resources and invest in research that truly meets hers and other sufferers' needs. Queensland is only the second jurisdiction in the world, after New South Wales, to identify these survivors. Breast Cancer Network Australia director of policy and advocacy Vicki Durston said "now, for the first time, these women matter". "This is a turning point, for too long governments have written off people with metastatic breast cancer because it is not curable, forgetting incurable shouldn't mean invisible," she said. The newly released data counts anyone diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 1982 to 2024 who were still alive by the end of last year. "Without foundational data, where do we even start? If they're not counted, then they're not prioritised through policy planning or cancer plans," Ms Durston said. "Historically people are counted when diagnosed and again when they die. "Governments assumed advanced meant limited survival, however with advancement in treatment options and precision medicines, we now have options to support those diagnosed. "Their needs are different to those with early breast cancer and you can't plan for a group you cannot see." She said metastatic breast cancer sufferers have felt "written off" for too long, despite advances in oral therapies and new precision treatments extending life spans. "So we're doing a lot of advocacy with the Commonwealth government, to say those medicines need to be fast-tracked so that people can get access to them, but so they also do not have to mortgage their home to be able to afford it. "There's some assumptions by government that people with advanced breast cancer that has metastasised die, but they all don't. "They're living and they're living well. And we want to ensure that there's visibility of that data to advance the advocacy and the policy priorities." Queensland Minister for Women Fiona Simpson said that while international data was still scarce, Queensland was now nation-leading in improving dignity and recognition for these patients. "Up until this point what had been collected nationally was wrong with regard to the true impact of this cancer on people's lives," she said. "Why you need to know the truth is that it will drive better treatment options and hopefully life-extending care. "It is not about just fighting this disease but fighting to live well."
