Advances in Adjuvant Therapy for High-Risk Breast Cancer: A Canadian Clinical Approach

Authors

  • Samitha Andrahennadi, MD Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
  • Mita Manna, MD, FRCPC Saskatoon Cancer Centre, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58931/cot.2025.2134

Abstract

Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in Canada. In early-stage disease, the purpose of adjuvant therapies following surgical resection is to reduce the risk of recurrence. The advent of adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) significantly reduced breast cancer recurrence and mortality; however, some patients have disease recurrence even 20 years after initial diagnosis. Therefore, several advancements have been made to optimize cure rates and improve outcomes. As a heterogeneous disease, breast cancer outcomes are impacted by clinical, histological, and genomic features, which guide prognosis and selection of adjuvant therapy. This review focuses on recent and emerging adjuvant therapies, specifically for high-risk patients across breast cancer subtypes: hormone receptor‑positive (HR‑positive), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2-positive), and triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC). 

Author Biographies

Samitha Andrahennadi, MD, Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

Dr. Samitha Andrahennadi is an internal medicine resident at the University of Saskatchewan. Throughout undergraduate training and medical school, Samitha sought out research experiences in cancer and oncology. He hopes to complete the next step in his training as a medical oncology fellow.

Mita Manna, MD, FRCPC, Saskatoon Cancer Centre, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan

Dr. Mita Manna is a Medical Oncologist at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Assistant Professor within the Department of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan. She is the Provincial Disease Site Lead for Breast Malignancies and a Nucleus Member for the REAL Alliance Breast Cancer Canada (Research Excellence and Active Leadership). Her research interests include quality improvement and real‑world evidence. She is also actively involved in medical education.

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Published

2025-04-11

How to Cite

Andrahennadi, S., & Manna, M. (2025). Advances in Adjuvant Therapy for High-Risk Breast Cancer: A Canadian Clinical Approach. Canadian Oncology Today, 2(1), 37–43. https://doi.org/10.58931/cot.2025.2134

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Volume 2, Issue 1, Spring 2025

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