Dr. Tripathy on the Possibility of Curing Metastatic Breast Cancer

Debu Tripathy, MD, professor of medicine, chair, department of breast medical oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the possibility of one day being able to cure metastatic breast cancer.

Tripathy says he believes that one day, physicians will be able to cure metastatic breast cancer in the sense that the patient will be able to live a full life without symptoms, similar to how HIV patients live today.

While this is obtainable, Tripathy says it will take some time. Since cancer is not like a virus and come from our own bodies, researchers first need to better understand the inner-workings of cancer.

Tripathy says learning the aspects of tumor control, immunology, tissue-based research and collaboration among patients, physicians, government and pharmaceutical industries are key to realizing this dream.