At Virginia Cancer Specialists, research is more than just a component of what we do. It is a reflection of our commitment to advancing cancer care and delivering better outcomes to patients. It’s the engine behind how we bring tomorrow’s breakthroughs to patients today. That is why publication in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) represents such a meaningful achievement. Widely regarded as the world’s most influential and prestigious medical journal, NEJM publishes only the highest-impact studies that have the potential to change the standard of care. The recent publication of the giredestrant and everolimus study, with our very own Dr. Anne Favret serving as a co-author, is a tremendous honor and testament to the caliber of research being conducted at Virginia Cancer Specialists. The study demonstrated that giredestrant plus everolimus significantly improved progression-free survival for patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, particularly those with ESR1-mutated tumors, offering an important new treatment option for patients facing endocrine therapy resistance.
The publication of the evERA Breast Cancer trial reflects far more than scientific accomplishment. It represents years of dedication by investigators, research nurses, coordinators, and, most importantly, the patients who choose to participate in clinical trials. Every advance in cancer treatment begins with research. Through clinical trials, we gain the knowledge needed to develop more effective therapies, improve outcomes, and create new options for patients who need them most.
For our patients, studies like this offer something invaluable: hope. Research opens doors to innovative treatments before they become widely available and helps accelerate progress against cancer for patients around the world. As a practice, we are proud to be at the forefront of these efforts, and we remain committed to advancing cancer care through a robust research program that continues to transform lives.
This marks Virginia Cancer Specialists’ fourth publication in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2026, further distinguishing our program as a leader in community-based oncology research and reinforcing our mission to deliver world-class cancer care close to home. Congratulations to Dr. Favret and the entire research team. This is a wonderful reflection of Dr. Favret’s quarter century-long career, dedication, and hard work as a breast cancer physician here at Virginia Cancer Specialists and in our community. Her tireless commitment to breast cancer research, combined with the dedication of our entire Virginia Cancer Specialists research team, helped make this important work possible. The impact extends far beyond our practice. These findings have the potential to influence treatment decisions for patients worldwide. We couldn’t be prouder.
— Alexander I. Spira MD, PhD, FACP, FASCO
Medical Oncologist, Virginia Cancer Specialists
Co-Director, Virginia Cancer Specialists Research Institute
Director, Virginia Cancer Specialists Thoracic and Phase I Program
Chief Scientific Officer, NEXT Oncology
Clinical Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins
