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Current Updates in Management of HER2-Positive and HER2-Low Breast Cancer

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Approximately 1 in 5 breast cancers over-express human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). In this review, we discuss the changing landscape of treatments for early and metastatic HER2 breast cancers, new therapies for HER2-low breast cancers, and future investigational directions of HER2-driven disease.

Recent Findings

Historically, HER2 breast cancers have been treated with anti-HER2-targeted therapies in combination with chemotherapy. Recently, clinical trials have established antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) as an effective additional line of therapy. Previously, patients with HER2-low breast cancers did not derive significant benefit from traditional HER2-directed therapies. However, the treatment paradigm for HER2-low disease has rapidly changed with noted efficacy of fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan in this population.

Summary

In this review, we outline key historical and recent clinical trials that have shaped HER2 breast cancer management. Active investigation is ongoing to identify and understand mechanisms of resistance.

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Data Availability

No original data was collected for this manuscript. Please see cited sources for availability of data from each respective paper.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    Arushi Thaper

  2. Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Taussig Cancer Institute, 9500 Euclid Ave / CA-060, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Jennifer Tran & Azka Ali

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  1. Arushi Thaper
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Correspondence to Arushi Thaper.

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Thaper, A., Tran, J. & Ali, A. Current Updates in Management of HER2-Positive and HER2-Low Breast Cancer. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 15, 135–141 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-023-00486-2

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