Brain-metastatic Breast Cancer: Clinical Considerations and Pharmacological Approaches

Despite constant advances on breast cancer knowledge, the metastatic disease resulting from the spreading of this disease is still a challenge. This scenario is particularly critical in the more aggressive subtypes, as HER2-amplified and triple negative breast cancers, when often occurs the invasion of central nervous system (CNS) structures. In this situation, the survival of patients is drastically reduced, and the number of sequels and functional impairment is huge due to the small therapeutic arsenal available. In this context, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms involved in the process of metastasis of breast cancer to CNS, and how this process affects anatomically important structures for its functioning. This review aims to point out some mechanisms enrolled in the spread of breast cancer to CNS, discuss the clinical impact of such metastatisation and address the critical aspects related to the treatment of this condition.