Frontiers in Oncology (Dec 2021)

Case Report: Significant Efficacy of Pyrotinib in the Treatment of Extensive Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer Cutaneous Metastases: A Report of Five Cases

  • Nan Wang,
  • Lin Li,
  • Youyi Xiong,
  • Jiangrui Chi,
  • Xinwei Liu,
  • Chaochao Zhong,
  • Fang Wang,
  • Yuanting Gu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.729212
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) is the most common tumor to develop cutaneous metastases. Most BCs with cutaneous metastasis are human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive subtypes. Although the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis to different sites and the corresponding treatment methods are areas of in-depth research, there are few studies on cutaneous metastasis.Case PresentationFive HER2-positive BC patients with extensive cutaneous metastases were treated with a regimen containing pyrotinib, a novel small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that irreversibly blocks epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 4 (HER4), then their cutaneous metastases quickly resolved at an astonishing speed and their condition was well controlled during the follow-up period.ConclusionsThis case series reports the significant therapeutic effect of pyrotinib on cutaneous metastases of HER2-positive BC for the first time. Based on this, we recommend that pyrotinib can be used as a supplement to trastuzumab for HER2-positive BC patients with cutaneous metastases. In addition, we should consider that the pan-inhibitory effect of pyrotinib on EGFR, HER2, and HER4 may provide a dual therapeutic effect against HER2 and mucin 1.

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