Treatment challenges for community oncologists treating postmenopausal women with endocrine-resistant, hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative advanced breast cancer

Abstract

Community-based oncologists are faced with challenges and opportunities when delivering quality patient care, including high patient volumes and diminished resources; however, there may be the potential to deliver increased patient education and subsequently improve outcomes. This review discusses the treatment of postmenopausal women with endocrine-resistant, hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- negative advanced breast cancer in order to illustrate considerations in the provision of pertinent quality education in the treatment of these patients and the management of therapy-related adverse events. An overview of endocrine-resistant breast cancer and subsequent treatment challenges is also provided. Approved treatment options for endocrine-resistant breast cancer include hormonal therapies and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors. Compounds under clinical investigation are also discussed.

Keywords:

• community oncologists
• hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer
• endocrine resistance

Acknowledgments

Editorial support in the preparation of this manuscript was provided by Matthew Grzywacz (ApotheCom, Yardley, PA, USA). This editorial support was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Disclosure

Dr Gradishar has received research grants from the National Institute of Health and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and is a consultant for Pfizer and Eli Lilly. The author reports no other conflicts of interest in this work.