With the release of data from studies such as DESTINY-Breast09 (DB-09), antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are gaining increasing prominence in the first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, while the traditional THP regimen (trastuzumab + pertuzumab + taxane) remains firmly established as the guideline-preferred standard, the question remains: has the “era of ADC dominance” truly begun? During the “Deep Dive” session at the 8th North–South Breast Cancer Forum, Professor Leiping Wang from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center addressed this question. She emphasized that although ADCs have opened the door to first-line therapy with impressive progression-free survival (PFS) benefits, their full integration into clinical practice still requires further validation, particularly in the context of refined disease management and treatment sequencing.

In the era of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an important clinical question has emerged: is platinum still indispensable? During the “Deep Dive” session at the 8th North–South Breast Cancer Forum, Professor Jia Wang from Zhongshan Hospital, Dalian University presented an in-depth analysis of this issue. Drawing on treatment goals, mechanistic rationale, clinical evidence, and individualized strategies, she systematically reviewed the role and challenges of platinum agents in neoadjuvant immunotherapy for TNBC and proposed future directions toward precision “de-escalation” therapy.

On March 16, 2026, the long-term follow-up results of the randomized, double-blind, multicenter Phase III PHILA study were published online in The BMJ. The corresponding author is Academician Binghe Xu from the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, with Professor Fei Ma (Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences) and Professor Min Yan (Henan Cancer Hospital) as co–first authors. With a median follow-up of 45.5 months, the study demonstrated that first-line treatment with pyrotinib in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel significantly improved overall survival (OS) in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, reducing the risk of death by 26%. These findings establish a dual-targeted regimen that reflects a distinct “China-developed strategy” for first-line treatment in this population.

Precision testing is only as valuable as its timing. During the “Deep Dive” session at the 8th North–South Breast Cancer Forum, Professor Hao Wang from Sichuan Cancer Hospital delivered a focused presentation on the optimal timing of endocrine-related molecular testing in patients with HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer.

On March 14, 2026, the international oncology journal Annals of Oncology (2025 IF: 65.4), the official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), published the results of the international multicenter phase III OPTIMAL trial (NCT03315364). The study was led by Academician Binghe Xu (first author) from the National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Professor S-B. Kim (corresponding author), with key contributions from Professor Tao Sun (Liaoning Cancer Hospital) and Professor H. Jeong (Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine), among other international collaborators. For the first time, the study demonstrated that oral paclitaxel (DHP107) is non-inferior to weekly intravenous paclitaxel in first-line treatment of HER2-negative recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, with lower neurotoxicity and greater convenience—offering patients a safer and more accessible therapeutic option.

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are reshaping the treatment landscape of breast cancer at an unprecedented pace. From HER2 to Trop-2, and from late-line metastatic settings to early-stage neoadjuvant therapy, ADC indications continue to expand while efficacy breakthroughs accumulate. Oncology Frontier invited Professor Jian Zhang from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Professor Songqing Ye from Fujian Provincial Hospital to engage in an in-depth discussion on the evolution of ADCs, recent clinical advances, toxicity management, and future trends. Drawing on cutting-edge clinical data and real-world experience, the two experts offer valuable insights into efficacy optimization, toxicity management, frontline integration, combination strategies, and drug diversification.

With the arrival of spring, the 8th Tongji Breast Cancer Forum was successfully convened, focusing on key topics including clinical needs, cutting-edge advances, grassroots implementation, and the development of young physicians. The meeting not only built a bridge for in-depth dialogue between leading experts and frontline clinicians, but also offered fresh perspectives on integrating clinical practice with the latest scientific progress.