The latest challenges of early breast cancer research include refining classification and predicting treatment responses, according to a report on the 14th St Gallen International Breast Cancer Consensus Conference, published in ecancermedicalscience.

The 2015 conference assembled nearly 3200 participants from 134 countries worldwide in Vienna, Austria to decide the consensus of breast cancer care and treatment.

Led by Dr Angela Esposito of the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, the report highlights some of the controversial areas discussed in this important meeting.

The highlight of the event is the St Gallen Consensus on the optimal treatment of early breast cancer.

The 2015 Consensus, delivered by about 45 of the world's most experienced opinion leaders in the field of breast cancer treatment, addressed some key areas of controversy, including the usefulness of existing breast cancer classification systems and the role of genetic variability.

The recommendations emerging from this panel will set the standard for breast cancer care for the next two years.

"This is the unique feature of the St. Gallen Consensus," writes Dr Giuseppe Curigliano, co-author, "ensuring that the resulting recommendations will take due cognizance of the variable resource limitations in different countries."

Reference:

Esposito A, Criscitiello C and Curigliano G (2015) Highlights from the 14th St Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference 2015 in Vienna: Dealing with classification, prognostication and prediction refinement to personalize the treatment of patients with early breast cancer ecancer 9 518