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Research points to better testing, new treatment options across breast cancer types | ASCO 2026
- 06/03/26
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Research presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology included a number of exciting new advancements across the major subtypes of breast cancer: hormone-positive, HER2-positive, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Three studies below highlight what’s on the horizon, from better testing to potential new drug targets.
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PROSIGNA test helps better predict risk of breast cancer return for HR-positive, HER2-negative
Therapy: Lab test to predict the risk of cancer coming back
Type of medication: 50-gene PROSIGNA test
How is it used: To identify people with early-stage breast cancer who may not need chemotherapy
How is it different: PROSIGNA provides a risk of recurrence score to help identify who is unlikely to benefit from chemotherapy. It tests more genes than existing similar tests, helping to limit overtreating people with chemotherapy who may not need it.
What did the study find: At five years, participants who had not had chemotherapy based on a low PROSIGNA score had similar cancer recurrence rates to similar patients who received chemotherapy. At most, 2% of people with low scores would benefit from chemotherapy.
What are the side effects: The test is performed on a tissue sample removed during biopsy. It does not cause any new side effects.
Study details: The international OPTIMA-03 phase 3 clinical trial included over 4,429 women and men age 40 and older with early-stage estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. Participants were randomized to receive endocrine therapy plus chemotherapy or to have a PROSIGNA test to determine their need for chemotherapy after surgery.
Key takeaway: PROSIGNA is a new tool doctors and patients can use to make treatment decisions. It is not clear when it will start to be used regularly in clinic. The manufacturer’s website says that the test will be available beginning in June 2026 and that financial assistance may be available if it is not covered by insurance.
This study looked at ER+/HER2- early breast cancer in a mostly white population. It focused on chemotherapy after surgery, but when asked, the presenter said the score can help with decisions about chemotherapy before surgery, too.
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New combination therapy outperforms standard neoadjuvant therapy for early-stage and locally advanced HER2-positive breast cancer
Combination Therapy: Anbenitamab plus HB1801 (with or without carboplatin)
Type of medication: Combination anti-HER2 targeted therapy
How is it used: Before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy)
How is it different: This study tested anbenitamab and HB1801 given together. Anbenitamab is a bispecific HER2 antibody, a new kind of drug. HB1801 is a new way to deliver docetaxel so that it is easier to absorb.
What did the study find: People who received anbenitamab plus HB1801 were more likely to have no trace of cancer in lab tests before surgery than those who received the standard of care combination therapy of trastuzumab/pertuzumab plus docetaxel (62.4% vs. 51.2%).
What are the side effects: Common side effects included mild anemia, hair loss, and diarrhea.
Study details: The Neo-Healer study is a phase 3 trial of 521 people with early-stage or locally advanced HER2+ breast cancer conducted at multiple cancer centers in China. Participants were randomized to receive either anbenitamab/HB1801 or trastuzumab/pertuzumab/docetaxel. Some participants also received carboplatin chemotherapy. The use of carboplatin did not affect the difference between the effectiveness of the two treatments.
Key takeaway: The new combination therapy was more effective than the standard therapy in clearing cancer cells before surgery, suggesting that it may become the new standard of care. The side effects were comparable. Anbenitamab now has FDA orphan drug approval for certain GI cancers. The drug will need to be submitted to the FDA for approval in breast cancer.
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New kind of ADC is more effective than chemotherapy in metastatic TNBC
Therapy: Izalontamab brengitecan (iza-bren)
Type of medication: Bispecific, antibody-drug conjugate (a targeted therapy)
How is it used: To treat pre-treated, not operable, locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
How is it different: Izalontamab brengitecan (iza-bren) is a bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets the biomarkers EGFR and HER3. It is a new kind of drug.
What did the study find: Iza-bren reduced the risk of cancer growth or death by 71% and extended overall survival by 3.4 months compared to chemotherapy.
What are the side effects: The drug was generally well tolerated. The most common side effects were related to blood count and were managed by supportive care. Mild nausea and hair loss were common. Very few people stopped treatment due to side effects.
Study details: Conducted in China, the PANKU-Breast02 phase 3 randomized trial compared iza-bren to chemotherapy in 418 people with locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who had already tried one to two therapies.
Key takeaway: Iza-bren is a promising drug to watch. This study shows that it is more effective than chemotherapy as a second or third treatment for metastatic TNBC but we do not know how it compares to the other options available in the U.S. Iza-bren has breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for non-small cell lung cancer. The pathway or timeline to approval in breast cancer was not discussed.
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Reviewed by: Caroline Koffke, RN, BSN, OCN
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