JEDDAH — With more than 400 participants, the 10th Middle East Best of San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in Jeddah became once again the largest meeting in oncology in the region, but also overwhelming in variety of scientific presentations as well as of educational and other sources of information. All presentations were dedicated to breast cancer, by far the most elaborate coverage of any cancer entity in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Omelkhair Bint Abullah Abu Alkhair said, "We are proud to hold this activity for the 10th consecutive year trying to update all colleagues from the Middle East region with the most recent data relevant to the management of breast cancer patients in the region." Breast cancer has a major impact on women worldwide and Saudi Arabia is no exception. It is considered the most common cancer type among Saudi women. According to participants, unfortunately almost 40 percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Of this, HER2-positive breast cancer accounts for 20-25 percent. HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about 1 of every 5 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, the cancer cells have a gene mutation that makes an excess of the HER2 protein. HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. They are less likely to be sensitive to hormone therapy. Yet, this does not mean there is no progress in the fight against breast cancer worldwide. Currently there is no complete cure for advanced breast cancer, but in recent years the outlook has improved significantly. However, more treatments with different approaches are needed to help ensure patients continue to have options if their conditions worsen. In all 25 working papers were presented by well-known 50 international speakers who addressed conventional as well as new issues in the field. The data from the EMILIA study, as presented on the second day of the symposium by Prof. Dr. Nadi Harbeck, head of the Breast Center of the University of Munich, was certainly one of the highlights of this year's symposium. "The data of the EMILIA study is significant for breast cancer patients. This T-DM1 registration trial not only presented a new option for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, it also demonstrated the efficacy of a new therapeutic concept such that 'magic bullets' may change cancer medicine by providing highly specific therapy without many systemic side effects," said Prof. Harbeck. Although effective targeting of HER2 has changed the natural history of HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer, yet big challenges are still facing researchers.
