AI, Digital Pathology in Early Breast Cancer Among Highlights at SABCS

The upcoming San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) will focus heavily on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital pathology in early breast cancer, with researchers investigating whether these image-based tools can identify patients who require chemotherapy or extended endocrine therapy. Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc, co-director of SABCS from the University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, previews several key research areas to be presented at this year's meeting.

These include novel antibody-drug conjugates, endocrine therapy, genomic studies, and a discussion on the use of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd; Enhertu) in the neoadjuvant versus adjuvant setting for HER2-positive disease.

Kaklamani highlights AI and digital pathology as a transformative development, allowing for quicker and cheaper testing by simply taking a picture of a specimen and analyzing it remotely. This could potentially replace traditional laboratory analyses, which often come with regulatory constraints in certain countries. She emphasizes that this approach could revolutionize the way early-stage breast cancer is managed, enabling faster and more cost-effective testing from any location worldwide.

Beyond AI and digital pathology, the symposium will feature a wide range of novel drug developments, such as new antibody-drug conjugates, and the latest findings on endocrine therapy in the early-stage setting. Additionally, there will be an emphasis on genomic research, addressing personalized treatment approaches to improve patient outcomes.

With over 11,000 attendees expected, SABCS is a melting pot of medical professionals, including oncologists from various specialties, patient advocates, and representatives from the breast cancer community. The symposium's strength lies in the active participation of patient advocates, featured in various sessions throughout the event.

Among the many topics, the symposium will tackle debates on the strategic use of T-DXd in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients, promising a dynamic and informative week of discussions and presentations.