Renewed Hope and Real Progress: Reflections from ESMO Breast 2025

This guest post is the first in a series of reports back from patient advocates who attended cancer conferences in 2025 with the help of a scholarship from the MBC Alliance. Read the next post here.

By Janice Cowden | Individual Advocate Member & PACS Scholarship Recipient

Attending the Annual Congress of ESMO Breast Cancer 2025 in Munich, Germany, from May 14–17 was an incredible honor—one made possible by the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance’s Patient Advocate Conference Scholarship program. As a longtime patient advocate and someone living with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), the opportunity to learn directly from researchers, clinicians, and fellow advocates on a global stage was both energizing and deeply meaningful.

This experience didn’t just deepen my scientific understanding—it renewed my hope.

The Science That Stood Out

This year’s meeting featured some truly cutting-edge research. As I sat in session after session, I found myself repeatedly asking: What could this mean for patients now? What questions should we be bringing back to our oncology teams?

Here are a few key findings that stood out:

CDK4/6 Inhibitor Use Post-Progression

We heard new data addressing the question so many patients and oncologists face: What happens after progression on CDK4/6 inhibitors like palbociclib? Several studies explored the possibility of switching to different endocrine therapies while continuing CDK4/6 inhibition, or even alternating among the three available CDK inhibitors.

While these approaches aren’t yet standard of care, they offer a glimpse into future options for ER+/HER2- MBC patients. A patient might ask their oncologist:

→ “Are there any clinical trials available looking at continued CDK4/6 use after progression?”

→ “How might tumor biomarkers guide next steps if I progress on these therapies?”

T-DM1 Combined with Palbociclib in HER2+ MBC

Dr. Nick Turner presented a fascinating Phase II trial combining T-DM1 (Kadcyla) with the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib. The rationale was to explore the crosstalk between HER2 and estrogen receptor (ER) pathways—a reminder that even in HER2+ breast cancer, the hormone receptor status may still shape treatment response.

For patients with HER2+/ER+ disease, this trial opens the door to asking:

→ “Could a combination approach like this be an option for me, especially if I’ve had prior T-DM1 or endocrine therapy?”

It’s still early, but studies like this challenge the one-size-fits-all approach and invite more personalized strategies.

B7-H4–Directed ADC for Metastatic TNBC

This one hit close to home. After years of feeling like mTNBC was left behind in drug development, it was heartening to see promising results for a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting B7-H4. What made this even more compelling was that it showed activity in patients who had already received a topoisomerase-1 inhibitor—something becoming increasingly common in TNBC care due to the use of sacituzumab govitecan.

This gives real hope to patients who may be running out of options. Questions to ask might include:

→ “Is B7-H4 being tested in clinical trials near me?”

→ “Would biomarker testing help determine if I’m a candidate for these emerging therapies?”

We’ve waited a long time for progress in mTNBC. Seeing real, actionable science was emotional for me—and, frankly, invigorating.

Why This Matters – And Why the Patient Voice Belongs in the Room

One of the most powerful aspects of ESMOBreast was not just the research presented—but the recognition that patient advocates play an essential role in shaping the future of cancer care.

I was truly humbled to be named by KOL Pulse AI on Twitter/X as one of the top social influencers at the conference, specifically for “sharing important slides and powerful insights.” Recognition like this isn’t about personal accolades—it’s about visibility. It’s about showing that the lived experience of patients adds value to scientific spaces, and that our voices can bridge the gap between the clinic and the community.

During the conference, I witnessed thoughtful efforts from researchers to include patient perspectives in their poster sessions, Q&A discussions, and even trial designs. Advocates asked meaningful questions about trial accessibility, quality of life endpoints, and survivorship—issues that sometimes get lost in statistical significance.

This is why we show up. To make sure patients aren’t just subjects in research, but partners in the process.

A Sense of Renewed Optimism

It’s easy, especially after living nearly a decade with metastatic disease, to feel like progress comes in slow, frustrating steps. But attending ESMOBreast 2025 reminded me that progress is happening. In the data. In the halls of collaboration. In the presence of advocates around the world who refuse to be silent.

The atmosphere in Munich was forward-looking and inclusive. Whether it was the buzz surrounding new trials, the collegial conversations between scientists and advocates, or simply the sense that we are closer to changing the trajectory of this disease, I left feeling lighter—and more determined.

Final Thoughts

I’m deeply grateful to the MBC Alliance for supporting my attendance through the PACS scholarship. Opportunities like this don’t just advance our knowledge—they affirm that we, as patients and advocates, belong in these conversations.

Our lived experience is data. Our presence is progress. And our hope is backed by science.

If you’re a patient advocate, and individual member of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, considering attending a future conference, I wholeheartedly encourage you to apply for a scholarship.

The application period for patient advocate conference scholarships generally opens in January, with a deadline of four to six weeks to apply. If you are a patient advocate member of the MBC Alliance, watch your inbox to be notified when the 2026 PACS Program opens.