ESMO 2025 highlighted the urgency and breadth of breast cancer research, one of the most diagnosed malignancies worldwide, with major subtypes (HR+, HER2+, and TNBC) responding differently to treatment and developing resistance through distinct mechanisms.
Despite improvements in systemic therapy, long-term survival rates remain suboptimal, and treatment-related toxicities persist. Sequencing also remains uncertain.
This year's ESMO 2025 conference focused on addressing these gaps through targeted combinations, improved tolerability, and biomarker-driven strategies. Notably, the adjuvant use of CDK4/6 inhibitors is redefining the management of high-risk HR+ early-stage disease.
Author's summary: ESMO 2025 updates breast cancer research.