Dr. Wassim McHayleh Breast Cancer Research Patient Story - Florida Trend

Janisette Rivera-Rollins, a sixth-grade teacher and mother of two from Central Florida, never imagined that a clinical trial would change the course of her life. Diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in 2022 — a particularly aggressive and hard-to-treat form of the disease — she endured months of traditional chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and radiation. While those treatments shrank her tumor, they didn’t eliminate it. Then came a new opportunity: a clinical trial testing an investigational drug called datopotamab deruxtecan at AdventHealth Cancer Institute. After much prayer and with the support of her care team, Janisette enrolled — becoming the first Central Florida participant in this global study. Just five months later, on her 34th birthday, she was declared cancer-free.

Now being closely monitored by Dr. Wassim McHayleh and his team, Janisette’s story represents a promising future in cancer care. The drug she received belongs to a new class of therapies known as antibody-drug conjugates, which target cancer cells directly to maximize effectiveness while minimizing side effects. As the trial continues to enroll patients across the region, researchers hope this treatment may set a new standard for TNBC, a disease that disproportionately affects younger women and women of color. For Janisette — and the many patients who will follow — it’s more than a clinical advancement; it’s a second chance at life. Read the full story by clicking the button below.