Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 2020 Immunotherapy Research Updates October 1, 2020December 14, 2022 CRI Staff At the European Society of Medical Oncology Meeting last month, scientists at Roche presented the latest results from three Phase 3 studies of the immunotherapy atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Data from the IMpassion031 study demonstrated that atezolizumab in combination with chemotherapy improved response for patients with early TNBC, when compared to chemotherapy alone. That’s just one of several ongoing studies to save and extend the lives of breast cancer patients. This October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we look at new treatments, new research, and how we’re working toward a future immune to breast cancer. Breast Cancer Patient Education Faced with a dangerous recurrence of triple-negative breast cancer, Karen Peterson took charge of her cancer narrative through education and self-advocacy. She researched clinical trials and eventually found a phase 1 trial for which she was eligible—she was patient #1. We spoke to Karen about researching treatments, getting second opinions, and the challenges for African-American patients. READ Q&A WITH KAREN Ask Your Immunotherapy Questions Join Karen Peterson for a patient perspective and Dr. Sylvia Adams of NYU Langone Health for a special breast cancer breakout session at the first-ever CRI Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit starting tomorrow. She’ll discuss exciting scientific and clinical research and answer your questions. This free event connects you to fellow patients and immunotherapy experts, all from the comfort and safety of your own home. REGISTER for the virtual summit Breast Cancer Patient Story In December 2015, Judy Perkins became the first metastatic breast cancer patient to be declared free of disease after a course of immunotherapy using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. When the results were published in Nature in June 2018, oncologists and patients everywhere gained new hope in the fight against breast cancer. Read Judy’s Breast Cancer Story Breast Cancer Researcher Stress-associated glucocorticoids appear to be an important factor in cancer metastasis, especially in breast cancer, where severe life events are associated with a nine-fold increase in risk of relapse. CRI Fellow Jose M. Adrover, PhD aims to establish a new framework for how glucocorticoid stress promotes cancer relapse, which has the potential to open up new therapeutic opportunities against cancer. Learn about Jose’s Breast Cancer Research Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer Information Updated On April 22, the U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval to sacituzumab govitecan-hziy (Trodelvy) for metastatic triple negative breast cancer. Get the latest information on immunotherapy treatments and targets for breast cancer. VIEW Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer UPDATE Find a Breast Cancer Clinical Trial A variety of new and promising cancer immunotherapy treatments are only available to patients in clinical trials. Our Immunotherapy Clinical Trial Finder will match you to trials for which you may be eligible, and you can help speed the development of potentially lifesaving drugs for yourself and others. FIND A Cancer Clinical TRIAL Support Breast Cancer Research As a CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR, Joshua D. Brody, MD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is investigating a therapeutic cancer vaccine approach—known as in situ vaccination, or ISV—that induces anti-tumor immunity at the tumor site and can also cause regression of tumors throughout the body. He initiated a clinical trial combining ISV with PD-1 immunotherapy for lymphoma, breast, or head and neck cancer patients, and the first patient treated has already shown tumor regression. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, support lifesaving cancer immunotherapy research. DONATE to breast cancer research Read more: Post navigation Karen’s Immunotherapy Story: Empowerment Through Education Read Story CRI and PICI Collaboration Reveals Path for Improving Personalized Immunotherapies Read Story