The breast cancer field now understands that triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises a heterogeneous set of tumor types. How to parse TNBC into distinct subtypes? One current approach is to study subtypes of TNBC and target their specific features. Another way is to specifically target the genetics of these cancers.

Researchers participating in the phase III EMILIA trial have identified tumor biomarkers that can identify patients that are more likely to benefit from T-DM1. In the trial, women whose tumors had higher HER2 expression were most likely to benefit from the therapy.

Researchers have identified a mechanism by which prostate cancer resists hormonal therapy to develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The protein SIAH2 keeps a fraction of androgen receptors constitutively active in prostate cancer cells.

Limited surgical resection of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors resulted in positive outcomes for both local and systemic disease-free survival, according to the results of a small study.

Researchers have identified a novel monoclonal antibody directly targeted against a receptor found in abundance on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells, but not normal B cells. The humanized antibody can directly kill CLL cells.

Using blood samples of pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis patients, researchers in Japan have developed a metabolomics-based test that may be an easy and noninvasive way to detect pancreatic cancer.

Researchers have discovered a fully human “T-cell receptor–like” monoclonal antibody specific for the Wilms tumor 1 oncoprotein—an intracellular oncogenic transcription factor that is overexpressed in a wide range of leukemias, as well as solid cancers.

Imaging is important for both the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. Standard techniques used in everyday clinical practice depend on the stage of the disease. Several new experimental modalities are currently in development to better identify and diagnose patients with progressive disease.

African American men with multiple myeloma had a significantly lower frequency of IgH translocations, a signal of nonhyperdiploid multiple myeloma, compared with European American men, according to the results of a new study published in Blood.

Radiolabeled small molecules targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen are well-tolerated tools for detection of metastatic prostate cancer, according to results of a phase I clinical trial.

Combination chemotherapy with sequential administration of methotrexate and asparaginase was found to be effective salvage therapy in a small retrospective study of pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Acetaminophen and nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were associated with a 28% increased risk of developing kidney cancer, according to the results of a recently published meta-analysis.

Researchers have demonstrated that mammary tumor development can be directly inhibited by lifelong exposure to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in mice. The new study directly shows the anticancer activity of omega-3s.

The FTO gene, which prior research has shown is strongly associated with obesity and body mass index (BMI), contains variants associated with an increased risk for malignant melanoma, according to the results of a genome-wide association study conducted by the GenoMEL consortium.

A new study from cancer stem cell experts at the University of Michigan is challenging the notion that trastuzumab (Herceptin) only works for HER2-positive breast cancer.

Substitution of estrogen patches for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist therapy in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer has similar testosterone-depleting effects while improving metabolic side effects, according to results from the PATCH trial.

Ado-trastuzumab emtansine, formerly known as T-DM1, improved progression-free survival as first-line treatment for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, when compared with the standard treatment of trastuzumab plus docetaxel in a randomized phase II multicenter study.

Contrary to previous laboratory findings, a new study has shown for the first time the effect of stem cell burden on treatment outcome, discovering that tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including imatinib and dasatinib, can rapidly eradicate most chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells.

Improving the selection criteria for lung cancer screening, which remains controversial, can improve the sensitivity of screening without losing specificity, and could help avoid additional deaths from lung cancer.

At the 30th Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, Lisa Carey, MD, presented the major questions in managing triple-negative breast cancer. This type of breast cancer makes up approximately 15% of all breast cancer cases, is typically more aggressive, and has a higher risk of early relapse.

How best to manage patients who present with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a noninvasive and early form of breast cancer, remains unclear. Treatment options range from minimal, breast-conserving surgical intervention and no follow-up treatment, to surgical intervention followed by additional treatment.

Risk factors for breast cancer can be parsed into genetic and biological factors, and environmental and lifestyle factors; and the general consensus is that screening and prevention strategies should be tailored based on an individual’s risk assessment.

Most breast cancer patients are treated with some form of chemotherapy, and because women with breast cancer are now surviving longer, the long-term effects of chemotherapy have become a major issue.

New technologies and techniques are in development to use blood samples to detect biological material in the blood that can differentiate a patient with cancer from one who does not have cancer and to aid in the treatment of breast cancer patients.

Men being treated for their prostate cancer with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone had a significantly increased risk for biliary disease compared with men who underwent no treatment, according to the results of a large, population-based study.