Frontiers in Oncology (Dec 2024)

The multidisciplinary management of HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases: from new biological insights to future therapeutic options

  • Claudia von Arx,
  • Claudia Calderaio,
  • Claudia Calderaio,
  • Alessandra Calabrese,
  • Benedetta Marciano,
  • Claudia Martinelli,
  • Claudia Martinelli,
  • Vincenzo Di Lauro,
  • Ivana Cerillo,
  • Daniela Cianniello,
  • Michelino De Laurentiis,
  • Michelino De Laurentiis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2024.1447508
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

Read online

The advent and success of new drugs for treating HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer has led to a constant improvement in disease and progression-free survival as well as overall survival. Despite these advantages, the overall survival and quality of life of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases are significantly worse than the ones of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer metastases outside the brain. For this reason, prevention and treatment of brain metastasis remain a major clinical challenge and the keys to further improving the clinical and survival outcomes of HER2-positive breast cancer patients. This review discusses the etiopathogenesis of brain metastasis, the currently available treatments, and the future perspective on new treatment strategies and diagnostic tools.

Keywords