By: Melinda Telli, MD,
Date: 12/9/2023
At the SABCS 2023 conference, we had the privilege of interviewing Melinda Telli, MD, a medical doctor, associate professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, and the director of the breast cancer program at Stanford Cancer Institute. Dr. Telli shared insights on recent advances in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) during a session she presided over.
In the interview, Dr. Telli discussed progress in TNBC treatment and management, emphasizing that breakthroughs have occurred in the past five years. She traced the evolution of TNBC understanding since its first description in 2005, highlighting milestones such as the approval of PARP inhibitors, immunotherapy, and antibody drug conjugates.
Reflecting on the current landscape, Dr. Telli noted differences in TNBC treatment compared to previous years, attributing these advancements to ongoing research, new drug approvals, and improved understanding of the disease. She illustrated the transformation by recounting a patient case from 2007, underscoring improvements in chemotherapy and the addition of targeted therapies like carboplatin and immunotherapy.
Addressing specific subpopulations, Dr. Telli acknowledged challenges faced by patients experiencing recurrence or those diagnosed with stage four TNBC. She emphasized the need for curative strategies and highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance survival for advanced TNBC.
The conversation also touched on the crucial topic of equitable access to novel therapies, with Dr. Telli stressing the importance of minimizing disparities in treatment initiation based on socioeconomic factors and geographic location.
Looking ahead, Dr. Telli expressed optimism about the future, foreseeing an explosion of antibody drug conjugates and continued advancements in immunotherapy. She highlighted challenges in determining the most effective treatments and ongoing efforts to expand the use of immunotherapy for a larger percentage of patients with metastatic TNBC.
In summary, the interview with Dr. Melinda Telli provided an overview of recent advancements, challenges, and future prospects in TNBC research and treatment, leaving an impression on the audience at SABCS 2023.