October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is part 2 of a 2-part series covering the latest statistics and research in breast cancer.
Breast cancer continues to be a major health challenge, but advancements in research, early detection, and treatment offer hope for better outcomes. Breast cancer research has remained a priority in oncology; millions of dollars are invested in breast cancer research annually, ensuring that innovation and progress continue. As a result of this significant investment, breast cancer researchers are exploring new and exciting approaches to research and investigating promising solutions that could be applied to other areas of oncology.
Click here to learn about the latest breast cancer statistics.
Advances in Diagnosis
Advancements in early detection and screening help improve breast cancer diagnoses, especially since people with breast cancer often do not experience early symptoms.
AI and machine learning to aid diagnosis and prediction
Imaging data is crucial in diagnosing breast cancer, as it enables the detection of normal and abnormal breast tissue. AI and machine learning support the processing of massive amounts of data, which can detect subtle changes or abnormalities. AI also furthers personalized medicine by allowing for customized analyses, factoring in certain traits and risk factors. AI-assisted image analysis can help surgeons locate tumors more accurately in advance of surgery, while machine learning can help predict incidences of recurrence, as well as a breast cancer patient’s response to chemotherapy.1
New imaging techniques
Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) creates 3d images, making it easier to find abnormalities while reducing the incidence of overlapping tissue. DBT has shown to be more effective than mammography, detecting 15-30% more cancers and minimizing the rate of false positivity by 15-20%.1
Molecular breast imaging uses a radioactive tracer when capturing images of breast tissue. A small amount of radioactive tracer travels through the breast tissue allowing fast-growing cancer cells to be more easily identified.2
Other techniques include non-invasive wearable technology and biosensors, as well as temperature/thermographic sensors to improve diagnosis for women with dense breast tissue.1
Tumor markers to advance precision-medicine approaches
Biomarkers offer objective insight into the progression of cancer. The most common biomarkers for breast tumors include human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), progesterone, and estrogen receptor. These markers accelerate diagnosis and help doctors guide patients to the most effective treatment options.1
Biosensors, such as electrochemical biosensors, optical biosensors, and others that identify breast tumor indicators, have been developed recently to limit the need for repeated biopsies, though more research is needed to improve usability and accuracy.1
Advances in Treatment
While there have been many advances in treatment in recent years, more research is needed to improve treatments, especially for rare cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer, where chemotherapy is the primary treatment option.3
Treatment by Tumor Subtype
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) target proteins on cancer cells, delivering chemotherapy directly to the tumor and minimizing damage to healthy tissues. This approach may improve outcomes in patients with early-stage breast cancer.4
Combination Therapies
The effectiveness of certain combination therapies are also being studied. To treat patients with high-risk early breast cancer, Ribociclib (Kisqali), a CDK4/6 inhibitor, was approved by the FDA with an Aromatase Inhibitor. Data showed the combination led to an improvement in disease-free survival rates when compared to endocrine therapy alone in the patient population studied.4
Vaccine Research
Researchers are studying whether vaccines can limit how much the cancer worsens, or prevent the cancer from recurring. In a Phase 1 trial for an investigational breast cancer vaccine for triple-negative breast cancer, more than 70% of patients showed desired immune responses.4
Breast cancer affects millions of people worldwide, but advancements in diagnostics, treatments, and personalized medicine continue to improve, offering hope for better outcomes.
Learn more about breast cancer research led by our Academic Breast Cancer Consortium.
For More Information:
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1587517/full
- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-health-system-discusses-advancements-in-breast-cancer-screenings
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/whats-new-in-breast-cancer-research.htm
- https://www.targetedonc.com/view/top-10-breast-cancer-breakthroughs-in-2024
