Case Report: Pathological complete response yet early brain relapse in HER2-positive breast cancer: a case-based review.

ABSTRACT: Despite advances in anti-HER2 therapies leading to high pathological complete response (pCR) rates, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) still shelters micrometastatic deposits, so intracranial relapse continues to pose a formidable therapeutic obstacle in HER2-positive breast cancer (BC). Understanding the mechanisms underlying early central nervous system (CNS) relapse and integrating BBB-penetrant strategies remain urgent unmet needs. We report a 60-year-old woman with HER2-positive, hormone receptor-negative breast cancer who achieved pCR after neoadjuvant docetaxel combined with trastuzumab and pertuzumab, followed by 12 months of maintenance trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Despite achieving pCR and comprehensive systemic control, the patient developed multifocal brain metastases two months afte

SUBMITTER: Feng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12813026 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature