Tackling endocrine resistance in ER-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: A tale of imprecision medicine

Abstract

The selection of patients with advanced breast cancer as appropriate for endocrine manipulation according to hormone receptor status is a successful strategy. Unfortunately, the emergence of resistance is inevitable and subsequent treatment is not well defined. Numerous mechanisms have been implicated in the development of resistance; central among them is the activation of compensatory signaling pathways. Despite the rationale that supports combining agents targeting these pathways with hormonal therapies in an attempt to delay or even reverse endocrine resistance, most clinical trials have failed to demonstrate improved outcomes. Although the inhibition of the PI3K/mTOR pathway and of CDK 4/6 function has led to meaningful prolongations of progression free survival, no overall survival gains have been reported yet. Considering the associated toxicity and costs, genomic-driven trials are eagerly needed in order to refine management strategies and achieve a truly personalized approach for this patient subgroup.

Keywords: Breast cancer; CDK 4/6; Endocrine; Metastatic; PI3K; Resistance; mTOR.