How I treat HER2-low advanced breast cancer

[Nguyen]

How I treat HER2-low advanced breast cancer

https://www.thebreastonline.com/acti...2823%2900005-X

A B S T R A C T
Introduction: Targeting low levels of human receptor epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) expression has reshaped
the treatment paradigm for half of the patients with advanced breast cancer. HER2-low is currently defined as a
HER2 immunohistochemical expression of 1+ or 2+ without amplification by in-situ hybridization. Until
recently, HER2-targeted agents were ineffective in treating patients with HER2-low disease.

Areas covered: In this narrative review, we summarize the current management of HER2-low breast cancer. We
highlight the findings of the DESTINY-Breast 04 phase 3 trial, which confirmed the efficacy of trastuzumab-
deruxtecan (T-DXd) for the treatment of patients with advanced, pretreated HER2-low breast cancer. We also
discuss how to implement this new treatment option in treatment algorithms of hormone receptor (HR)-positive
and triple-negative tumors, as well as how to optimally manage selected toxicities of T-DXd.

Expert opinion: T-DXd is currently the standard of care for patients with advanced, pretreated, HER2-low breast
cancer. Based on the design of the DESTINY-Breast04 trial, the current optimal place in treatment algorithms is
after the first line of chemotherapy, both in HR-positive and triple-negative breast cancer. Up to 10–15% of the
patients receiving T-DXd are expected to develop interstitial lung disease, which in 1–2% of the cases can be
fatal. Adequate monitoring and prompt management are required to minimize the impact of ILD and to safely
implement T-DXd in clinical practice.