At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago, researchers unveiled promising results showing that AstraZeneca’s experimental pill camizestrant guided by a liquid biopsy blood test can significantly delay breast cancer progression in women with early signs of drug resistance.

Key highlights

New data from ASCO meeting

• First trial to use liquid biopsy to detect ESR1 gene mutations and guide early treatment switch.

• Camizestrant delayed disease progression by 16 months vs 9.2 months with standard therapy.

• Shows 56% reduction in risk of disease progression or death in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

Game changing early intervention approach

• Switching treatments based on blood test results before tumors show on scans could redefine clinical practice.

• Experts say this "early switch" could help doctors stay ahead of drug resistance and avoid delays in care.

Safe profile with no new side effects

• Trial included 315 women identified via blood tests.

• No major dropouts or new adverse effects observed.

Global impact and regulatory future

• Drug not yet FDA approved, but findings expected to push regulatory pathways forward.

• AstraZeneca CEO called the approach “the future of cancer treatment,” acknowledging initial challenges but long-term adoption potential.

Additional results from Imfinzi trial

• AstraZeneca's Imfinzi (durvalumab) with FLOT chemotherapy reduced cancer recurrence or progression by 29% in early-stage stomach and esophageal cancers.

• Both landmark studies were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

This dual breakthrough camizestrant in breast cancer and Imfinzi in stomach cancer marks a significant advancement in personalized cancer care. Liquid biopsy-guided treatment and immunotherapy combinations could reshape cancer management globally, offering earlier, more precise interventions for patients.