ADVANCES IN THE TREATMENT OF HER-2 POSITIVE BREAST CANCER: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

HER2-positive breast cancer is identified as a significant subtype, accounting for approximately 15–20% of cases and was historically associated with a poor prognosis. However, patient outcomes have been revolutionized by the development of targeted therapies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent therapeutic advancements and analyzes persistent challenges in clinical management. A synthesis of data from pivotal clinical trials and systematic reviews published over the past decade was conducted, focusing on treatment modalities for HER2-positive breast cancer in both early and metastatic settings. The treatment paradigm has evolved from antibody monotherapy to complex regimens involving dual blockade and next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Notably, trastuzumab deruxtecan has been established as a new standard of care in the metastatic setting. Furthermore, effective treatment options for patients with brain metastases have been provided by novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as tucatinib. Although survival rates have been significantly improved, critical challenges remain, including the management of drug toxicity and the overcoming of resistance mechanisms. Future research must be focused on personalizing treatment based on predictive biomarkers.