A groundbreaking study reveals that using immunotherapy alongside chemotherapy before and after surgery could effectively treat a common form of breast cancer, irrespective of the patient’s age or menopausal status.
The study, known as Keynote-756, investigated the effectiveness of pembrolizumab, also called Keytruda, in treating early-stage breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence. Pembrolizumab targets specific immune cells to seek out and destroy cancerous cells.
Conducted over eight years, Keynote-756 included 1,278 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), a type of breast cancer that spreads beyond the milk ducts.
Results showed a significant increase in the rate of complete response to treatment among patients who received pembrolizumab compared to those who received a placebo. Notably, this positive response was consistent across different age groups and menopausal statuses.
Lead researcher Javier Cortes emphasized that pembrolizumab improved pathological complete response (PCR) rates regardless of age or menopausal status.
Previously approved for triple-negative breast cancer treatment, pembrolizumab’s success in this study suggests potential benefits for patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) and HER2-negative breast cancer, which constitutes the majority of cases.
While the therapy’s impact on long-term survival rates requires further investigation, experts are optimistic about its potential to enhance treatment outcomes and reduce the likelihood of cancer recurrence.
The study’s findings, presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Milan, underscore the importance of ongoing research to advance breast cancer treatment options and improve patient outcomes.
