Therapeutic strategies for HER2-positive breast cancer with central nervous system involvement: a literature review and future perspectives.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Brain metastases (BMs) are present in approximately 55% of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer (HER2+ BC). The introduction of anti-HER2 agents has radically changed the prognosis of these patients by prolonging overall survival.

Methods

In this review, we describe the biology of central nervous system (CNS) spreading in patients with HER2+ BC. We also provide a literature review of current treatment strategies of brain metastatic BC, focusing on HER2+ disease, and future perspectives.

Key content and findings

Treatment of symptomatic BMs includes traditionally neurosurgery and/or radiotherapy, depending on the number of metastases, performance status and systemic disease control. Local treatments, such as surgical excision of BM and ste

SUBMITTER: Passalacqua MI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10731379 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature