BCC 2021 | CDK4/6 inhibitors in ER+ metastatic breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines were set out during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast cancer. The use of CDK4/6 inhibitors in ER+ metastatic breast cancer continued to be recommended despite their immunosuppressive effects, with additional advice that first line use could be postponed in certain cases, especially in the elderly. Menna Fouda, MD, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK, shares the results of a retrospective study of patients with metastatic breast cancer to assess the impact of adopting these new guidelines, and to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncological practice. It was concluded that CDK4/6 inhibitor use was safe to continue during the pandemic, and that dose reductions did not affect their efficacy. This interview took place during the 17th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference.