Without a doubt, the breast cancer community has witnessed in the last years the most important advancements in the medical treatment for all breast cancer subtypes since decades. Such advancements embrace the whole spectrum of breast cancer care and include the introduction of new drugs, the complete redefinition of treatment decision-trees, and the introduction of new diagnostic tools. All these changes are fueled by new acquisitions coming from both fundamental, translational and clinical research at an unprecedented speed and we can foresee that, at this pace, even more profound changes could come in the following years. In this evolving scenario, it is essential to keep a critical eye on the knowledge generated by the scientific literature, to carefully put new data in the context of the established knowledge, and to look at this changing landscape trying to anticipate potential future avenues. It is also very important that, as these changes happen, we are fully aware of the many implications that they may carry, starting from the practical aspects of introducing these novelties in our daily routine and including those aspects related to the communication with the patients and their caregivers. As members of a community dedicated to breast cancer care, we also have the imperative of understanding what is the current role of all the different players concurring to the development of new breast cancer therapies. In particular, it is urgent to reflect on the current status of independent research worldwide and on the role that this is going to have in the near future.
Building on the success of the past two editions, the 2026 PRATO breast cancer symposium will gather experts in the breast cancer field to share their views on these concepts and discuss them in an open and interactive way. We will initiate the meeting by reflecting on the complex task of communication with patients in the era of social media. We will then continue the scientific talks by tackling the different breast cancer subtypes in separate sessions. In each session we will have two experts, each summarizing the news in the adjuvant and metastatic setting, respectively, followed by a panel discussion which will aim to put the new data in the context of the current practice. This year the meeting will also host an exceptional guest: Prof Meredith Regan from Harvard Medical School. Prof. Regan is an eminent Statistician and a world renowned expert in breast cancer research who has contributed to seminal clinical trials that have shaped breast cancer care trough the last decades. As co-Chair of the ETOP-IBCSG, one of the most important cooperative groups in breast cancer worldwide, and stemming from her longstanding experience in the field, she will share her views on the importance of independent research in breast cancer, its past and current role, with a look to the future. During the meeting, Prof. Regan will receive the 2026 Angelo Di Leo award in recognition of her work and achievements.