On this episode of the Interlude Podcast, I am joined by breast medical oncologist, Dr. Sara Nunnery, to break down one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving areas of breast cancer treatment: selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs). We discuss how SERDs work, why ESR1 mutations matter, and how newer endocrine therapies are changing the treatment landscape for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. From recent FDA approvals and a new approach to detecting treatment resistance before cancer progresses to promising research in early-stage breast cancer, we explore what these advances mean for patients, how treatment decisions are made, and what questions still need answers.
Topics discussed include:
*What SERDs are and how they differ from traditional endocrine therapies, including aromatase inhibitors
*ESR1 mutations, how they develop, and their role in endocrine therapy resistance
*Newer SERDs, including elacestrant, imlunestrant, and camizestrant, and their role in metastatic breast cancer
*When and how to test for ESR1 mutations using liquid biopsies, including the possibility of detecting resistance before disease progression
*How oncologists choose between different SERDs and other treatment options, including the role of CDK4/6 inhibitors
*Why ESR1 mutation testing is not routinely recommended in early-stage breast cancer
*Promising results from the lidERA trial evaluating giredestrant in early-stage breast cancer
*What we still don’t know about SERDs, ongoing clinical trials, and where breast cancer treatment may be headed next
Whether you’re living with breast cancer, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand the latest advances in treatment, this conversation breaks down the science and what it means for patient care.
Follow Dr. Teplinsky on Instagram @drteplinsky, on TikTok, YouTube, or on any other social media platform. You can also visit http://www.drteplinsky.com and check out my Substack, where I do deeper dives into research and science.
Follow Dr. Sara Nunnery on Instagram and check out her podcast, Breast Cancer Briefing.
Books:
My book, Beyond The Pink: Navigating Life, Health, and Breast Cancer is here!! Order today!. You can also order on Barnes and Noble or anywhere else you buy books.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.