At the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium®, a dynamic workshop on Dose Optimization in Breast Medical Oncology shed light on the shift away from how researchers have traditionally determined the dose for a new treatment by a model called maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and instead, use patient-centered approaches that balance effectiveness and quality of life.
Moderated by Dr. Mirat Shah, Clinical Lead for Project Optimus at the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence, and Dr. Patricia LoRusso from Yale School of Medicine, the session highlighted how tailored strategies, including the right dose for an individual patient, can ensure the best outcomes for patients. This is a big shift where traditionally the same treatment dose calculation is used for all patients.
Dr. Shah emphasized that poorly researched dosages in the early phase of clinical trials can lead to unnecessary toxicity, premature treatment discontinuation, and limited future therapeutic options. Instead, dosage optimization focuses on understanding drug tolerability and tailoring regimens to minimize side effects while maximizing long-term benefits.
A key takeaway was the growing role of patient preferences. Chronic low-grade toxicities, such as Grade 2 diarrhea, might not seem life-threatening but can significantly impact daily living. “Patients and advocates are stressing the importance of patient-reported outcomes in understanding tolerability,” Dr. Shah shared.
This transformative approach is reshaping breast cancer care by focusing on what truly matters: improving survival while preserving patients’ well-being.
Stay tuned for more updates from SABCS 2024 as Breast Cancer Canada continues to report on the latest innovations in breast cancer research.
