The Changing Paradigm for the Treatment of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

For decades, HER2-positive breast cancer was associated with poor outcomes and higher mortality rates than other breast cancer subtypes. However, the advent of Trastuzumab (Herceptin) has significantly changed the treatment paradigm of patients afflicted with HER2-positive breast cancer. The discove...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Aena Patel, Nisha Unni, Yan Peng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
Series:Cancers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/12/8/2081
Description
Summary:For decades, HER2-positive breast cancer was associated with poor outcomes and higher mortality rates than other breast cancer subtypes. However, the advent of Trastuzumab (Herceptin) has significantly changed the treatment paradigm of patients afflicted with HER2-positive breast cancer. The discovery of newer HER2-targeted therapies, such as Pertuzumab (Perjeta), has further added to the armamentarium of treating HER2-positive breast cancers. This review highlights recent advancements in the treatment of HER2-positive diseases, including the newer HER2-targeted therapies and immunotherapies in clinical trials, which have paved (and will further update) the way for clinical practice, and become part of the standard of care in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or metastatic setting.
ISSN:2072-6694