Radiation Therapy Shows Promise for Older Breast Cancer Patients
A new study presented at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium suggests that radiation therapy alone may be an effective treatment option for older women wiht early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The EUROPA trial, a randomized phase 3 trial, compared the quality of life and outcomes of women aged 70 and older who received either exclusive post-operative radiation therapy or endocrine therapy alone.
The study found that radiation therapy was associated with better quality of life across several domains, including physical functioning, emotional well-being, and social functioning, as measured by standardized questionnaires. Interestingly, the radiation therapy group also reported fewer side effects, especially in areas like fatigue, pain, and nausea.
while endocrine therapy has long been a standard treatment for hormone-positive breast cancer, it often comes with significant side effects, such as hot flashes and bone pain.In the EUROPA trial, a significant number of patients on endocrine therapy switched too a different treatment or discontinued it altogether due to these side effects.
“Radiation therapy or endocrine therapy may be a viable single-modality treatment option,emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary and patient-centered personalized care,” explained lead study author Dr. Icro Meattini, an associate professor at the university of Florence, italy.
The EUROPA trial enrolled over 900 patients, randomly assigning them to either radiation or endocrine therapy. Patients in the radiation therapy group received either whole breast irradiation or partial breast irradiation, depending on thier individual needs.
This interim analysis provides encouraging results for older breast cancer patients, suggesting that radiation therapy alone might potentially be a safe and effective treatment option with a favorable impact on quality of life. Further follow-up and analysis of the EUROPA trial are underway.
Reference
Meattini M,Carmen De Santis M,Visani L,et al. exclusive endocrine therapy or radiation therapy in women aged 70+ years with luminal-like early breast cancer (EUROPA): preplanned interim analysis of a randomized phase 3 trial. Presented at: 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 10-13; 2024; San Antonio, TX. abstract GS2-02.
## New hope for Older Breast Cancer Patients: An Exclusive Interview on the EUROPA Trial
Dr. icro Meattini, led author of the groundbreaking EUROPA trial presented at the 2024 San Antonio breast Cancer Symposium, joins us today. Welcome, Dr. Meattini.
**Dr. Meattini:** Thank you for having me.
**archyde Editor:** The EUROPA trial is generating quite a buzz. Tell us, what were the key takeaways regarding radiation therapy for older women wiht early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer?
**Dr. Meattini:** The results are incredibly encouraging.We found that radiation therapy alone might potentially be a viable single-modality treatment option for this patient population. Our study showed that radiation therapy not only led to comparable outcomes compared to endocrine therapy, but it also demonstrated a positive impact on quality of life.
**Archyde Editor:** You mentioned quality of life. Can you elaborate on that finding?
**Dr. Meattini:** Absolutely. Patients in the radiation therapy group reported better physical functioning, emotional well-being, and social functioning across the board. Interestingly, they also experienced fewer side effects, particularly fatigue, pain, and nausea, compared to those on endocrine therapy.
**Archyde Editor:** Given that endocrine therapy has long been standard, what implications does this study have for treatment options going forward?
**Dr. meattini:** This emphasizes the need for personalized care. While endocrine therapy remains a valid option, the EUROPA trial highlights that radiation therapy could be a safe and effective alternative for older women, potentially offering a better quality of life during and after treatment. We need to carefully evaluate each patient’s individual needs and preferences to determine the best course of action.
**archyde Editor:** This research opens up significant conversations about individual treatment choices. What advice would you give to older women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who are making treatment decisions?
**Dr. Meattini:** My advice is to have an open and honest discussion with your oncologist. Ask about all available treatment options, including the potential benefits and side effects of each.
Remember, this is your health journey, and you deserve to be fully informed and empowered to make the best decision for yourself.
**Archyde Editor:** Dr. Meattini, thank you for sharing your valuable insights.
**Dr. Meattini:** My pleasure.
We want to hear from you. Do you feel cozy with personalized treatment approaches, even if they deviate from traditional guidelines? Share your thoughts
in the comments below. [ [1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11261391/)].
## New Hope for Older Breast Cancer Patients: An Exclusive Interview on the EUROPA Trial
**Archyde:** Dr.Meattini, thank you for joining us today. The results of the EUROPA trial presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium are incredibly promising.Could you elaborate on the main findings and their implications for older breast cancer patients?
**Dr. Meattini:** Certainly. The EUROPA trial investigated whether radiation therapy alone could be a viable treatment option for women aged 70 and older with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Our findings suggest that indeed, radiation therapy, either whole breast or partial breast irradiation depending on individual needs, may offer comparable outcomes to endocrine therapy alone in this patient population.
**Archyde:** What were some of the key differences in quality of life reported by patients in the radiation therapy group compared to those receiving endocrine therapy?
**Dr. Meattini:** One of the most striking findings was the critically important improvement in quality of life reported by patients in the radiation therapy group. Thay experienced better physical functioning, emotional well-being, and social functioning. Interestingly, they also reported fewer side effects, particularly fatigue, pain, and nausea, which are frequently enough associated with endocrine therapy.
**Archyde:** Endocrine therapy has long been a standard treatment for hormone-positive breast cancer. Why might radiation therapy be a compelling alternative,particularly for older women?
**Dr. meattini:** While endocrine therapy is effective,it can come with significant side effects such as hot flashes and bone pain. This can be particularly challenging for older women. The EUROPA trial showed that for a subset of older women with early-stage disease, radiation therapy alone might be equally effective while offering a better quality of life.
**Archyde:** What are the next steps for the EUROPA trial?
**Dr. Meattini:** This was an interim analysis of the trial, and we are continuing to follow patients to gather long-term data on outcomes and quality of life. We hope that these results will encourage further research into personalized treatment approaches for older breast cancer patients, taking into account individual needs and preferences.
**Archyde:** Dr. Meattini, thank you for sharing these insightful findings. This research offers a ray of hope and potential for improved treatment options for older women diagnosed with breast cancer.
**Dr. Meattini:** Thank you for having me. We are committed to continuing this research to ensure that all women have access to the most effective and well-tolerated breast cancer treatments.
