Breast cancer treatment has changed significantly over the past decade, giving patients access to therapies tailored to their specific cancer type. Today, doctors can examine a tumor’s characteristics, genetic changes and other individual factors to determine which treatments are most likely to help and which may be unnecessary. This shift toward personalized breast cancer care allows medical teams to treat cancer with greater precision while reducing unnecessary treatment when possible.

Even two patients with seemingly similar breast cancers may benefit from very different treatment plans based on their age, overall health, cancer biology and personal preferences. At Endeavor Health, breast medical oncologists use the latest research and treatment advances to develop a care plan tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals. If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, schedule a consultation with an Endeavor Health breast medical oncologist to explore your options.

How genomic testing guides breast cancer treatment

An important advance in breast cancer care is the ability to identify patients who are likely to benefit from chemotherapy and those who may safely avoid it. For certain early-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancers, genomic tests analyze patterns of gene activity in the tumor to estimate the risk of recurrence.

These results, along with other clinical factors, help oncologists determine whether chemotherapy is likely to provide meaningful benefit alongside anti-estrogen medication. This enables patients and their care teams to make more informed decisions based on the biology of their individual cancer.

Targeted therapies offer new treatment options

Targeted therapies are changing how doctors treat several types of breast cancer. One important advancement is a class of medications called antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), which pair an antibody that targets a specific feature on a cancer cell with a potent cancer-fighting drug.

This approach helps deliver medication directly to cancer cells and has expanded treatment options for certain advanced breast cancers, including HER2-low and triple-negative disease. Researchers are now studying how some of these therapies may benefit patients earlier in treatment, before cancer has spread or returned.

New oral medications for hormone-positive breast cancer

Hormone-positive breast cancer is the most common type, accounting for about 70% of cases. Hormone therapy has long played an important role in treatment, and tamoxifen remains a key option.

Today, newer oral medications can target the estrogen receptor in different ways. One example is vepdegestrant, which is used for certain patients.

These newer options can be especially important when a cancer stops responding to an earlier treatment. Doctors can assess how the cancer has changed over time and use that information to choose an alternative treatment that may work better.

Immunotherapy and targeted treatments for triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer lacks three common treatment targets: estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and HER2. Without these targets, chemotherapy has traditionally been a primary treatment option.

Today, immunotherapy and ADCs have expanded the treatment possibilities for some patients. Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, while ADCs deliver cancer-fighting medication through a targeted approach.

Researchers also recognize that triple-negative breast cancer includes tumors with different biological characteristics. Understanding these differences may help doctors identify additional treatment options and further personalize care.

How PARP inhibitors help treat inherited breast cancer

Genetic testing can reveal important information about which breast cancer treatments may work best, particularly for patients with inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. These mutations can affect how cells repair damaged DNA, creating an opportunity for a targeted treatment approach.

PARP inhibitors are medications that interfere with another DNA repair process, making it harder for certain cancer cells to survive. For eligible patients with BRCA-associated breast cancer, these drugs can offer an additional treatment option and may reduce the risk of recurrence in some high-risk, early-stage cases.

Can a blood test detect breast cancer recurrence earlier?

One promising area of breast cancer research focuses on circulating tumor DNA, or ctDNA. Cancer cells release tiny DNA fragments into the bloodstream, which researchers can detect through specialized blood tests.

Scientists are studying whether these tests can help doctors detect small amounts of cancer that remain after treatment, identify mutations or recognize signs of recurrence before conventional imaging does. Although the research is encouraging, routine use of ctDNA testing to guide treatment decisions in early-stage breast cancer remains an area of ongoing study.

How AI is advancing breast cancer care

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also becoming an important area of research in breast cancer care. AI tools can help doctors analyze mammograms, review pathology images, identify patterns in large volumes of medical data and estimate patient risk.

As these technologies evolve, researchers hope to integrate imaging, pathology, genomic data and other patient data to create a clearer picture of each person's cancer. This could help oncologists make increasingly precise treatment recommendations.

However, careful testing and validation remain essential. AI tools must demonstrate that they provide reliable information across diverse patient populations and support better clinical decisions and outcomes.

Using effective breast cancer drugs earlier in treatment

Another important trend in breast cancer care involves studying treatments that have proven effective for advanced disease to determine whether they can also help patients with earlier-stage cancer. The goal is to treat cancer before it has a chance to spread or return. 

Some targeted therapies and immunotherapies have already become part of earlier-stage treatment for eligible patients. Researchers continue to study which patients are most likely to benefit based on their cancer characteristics and individual risk of recurrence.

Breast cancer treatments continue to improve

The future of breast cancer treatment is about finding the right therapy for the right patient. Advances in genomic testing, targeted medications, blood tests and other technologies are helping oncologists better understand how individual cancers behave and respond to treatment.

Just as importantly, doctors are learning when additional treatment may offer little benefit. By understanding each patient's cancer biology, they can recommend therapies that provide meaningful benefits while helping patients avoid unnecessary medications and their potential side effects.

Advanced, personalized breast cancer treatment at Endeavor Health

Every breast cancer diagnosis deserves a thoughtful, individualized approach. At Endeavor Health, breast medical oncologists combine specialized expertise with advances in genomic testing, targeted therapies, oral medications and other treatments to develop care plans tailored to each patient's cancer, health and personal goals. If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, schedule a consultation with Poornima Saha, MD, to learn about the latest breast cancer treatments and find an approach that is right for you.