Gilead Sciences: 4 Questions With See Phan: Discovering New Therapies in Breast Cancer
Gilead Sciences focuses on innovative therapies for breast cancer, particularly metastatic HR+/HER2- types, accounting for about 70% of all breast cancer diagnoses globally. The company is advancing a development program to address critical gaps in treatment, including the use of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that target tumor cells. As of 2023, Gilead is running over 50 active or planned cancer clinical trials and aims to gain 10 new indications by 2026. The survival rate for metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer is notably low, highlighting the urgency for new treatment options that enhance quality of life while minimizing chemotherapy's side effects.
- Focus on innovative therapies for metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer, addressing about 1.5 million diagnoses yearly.
- Advancement in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for broader tumor type applications.
- More than 50 active or planned cancer clinical trials aimed at enhancing treatment options.
- Anticipation of gaining 10 additional indications by 2026.
- Metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer has a disappointing 5-year survival rate of around 30%.
- Median survival post endocrine therapy transition to chemotherapy is only approximately one year, decreasing with subsequent treatments.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2023 / As a practicing physician and cancer researcher for more than 20 years, See Phan is all too familiar with the need for innovative new treatment options, especially for breast cancer.
"Patients and providers are particularly eager to obtain therapies that slow tumor growth while also supporting a person's quality of life," he says. "Fortunately, the treatment landscape is advancing quickly for people with breast cancer."
See, Vice President of Oncology Clinical Development at Gilead, took a moment to walk us through some of the new innovations in breast cancer and the work underway at Gilead Oncology, where the vision is to help bring more life to people with cancer.
Q: What is the focus of Gilead's breast cancer development program?
We're focused on addressing the biggest gaps in treatment, which includes developing therapies for several types of breast cancer. Our development program is designed to understand where our therapies are showing efficacy, and then to move into earlier lines and stages with the potential for curative intent.
Treatment options are expanding, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that can deliver tumor-destroying compounds directly to cells. ADCs are maturing and improving, allowing for use against a broader array of tumor types.
At Gilead, we initially focused on metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive type of cancer, and we're also working to provide options for people living with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer - another difficult-to-treat type of breast cancer.
Q: What is the outlook for people living with HR+/HER2- breast cancer?
HR+/HER2- breast cancer accounts for approximately
About one-third of people who are diagnosed go on to develop metastatic disease. Metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer has a disappointing 5-year survival rate of around
Once a person with metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer progresses on endocrine-based therapies, which most will, they have traditionally been left with only chemotherapy as an option. At this point, median survival is only approximately one year, and this decreases with each subsequent line of therapy. Treatment changes from endocrine-based therapies to chemotherapy, in addition to cycling chemotherapies is also associated with declining quality of life, which has a substantial impact later in therapy. We need to meet the needs of these patients with more effective treatment options.
Q: Why are options other than chemotherapy so important?
I've learned through my clinical experience that people with metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer prioritize quality of life. They want to avoid the side effects and other treatment stresses of chemotherapy for as long as possible. As physicians consider treatment options, we need to think about the side effect profile balanced with efficacy and quality of life.
I'm hopeful as more treatment options become available, such as ADCs, we can help stop tumor growth with fewer side effects for patients as compared to traditional chemotherapy.
Q: What does the future of cancer therapies overall look like at Gilead?
It's an exciting time here, as we have more than 50 active or planned cancer clinical trials, including many in breast cancer, for 2023. We've gained six new indications for our cancer therapies in the last two years, and we anticipate adding 10 additional indications by 2026.
I came to Gilead because I understood the need to bring more options to patients and saw promise in what the company was building. I truly believe that our therapies have the potential to help transform care and improve quality of life measures for people living with many different types of cancer. I'm excited for the opportunity to do my part to improve care for people with cancer, including metastatic HR+/HER2- disease.
Note: a version of this piece appears in STAT as sponsored content.
Originally published by Gilead Sciences https://stories.gilead.com/articles/4-questions-with-see-phan
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FAQ
What is Gilead's focus in breast cancer treatment?
How many clinical trials is Gilead conducting for cancer therapies?
What is the survival rate for metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer?
What new indications does Gilead plan to gain for its cancer therapies?
