Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Building Up a High-throughput Screening Platform to Assess the Heterogeneity of HER2 Gene Amplification in Breast Cancers
11:34

Building Up a High-throughput Screening Platform to Assess the Heterogeneity of HER2 Gene Amplification in Breast Cancers

Published on: December 5, 2017

13.1K

Optimizing (neo)adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer

Reva K Basho1, Heather L McArthur2

  • 1Breast Medical Oncology, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Boulevard AC 1053, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.

Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology
|July 24, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Newer treatments for human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer require risk stratification. Strategies involve de-escalating therapy for some patients and escalating for others to improve outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-directed therapies have significantly improved outcomes in early-stage HER2-overexpressing (HER2+) breast cancer.
  • Recent advancements include novel HER2-directed agents and treatment strategies, leading to further improvements in patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss recent developments in neoadjuvant and adjuvant strategies for treating potentially curable HER2+ breast cancer.
  • To highlight the increasing need for risk stratification to maximize treatment efficacy and minimize toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent developments in neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies for HER2+ breast cancer.
  • Discussion of risk stratification approaches, including therapy de-escalation and escalation.

Main Results:

  • Therapy de-escalation may shorten adjuvant treatment duration and reduce chemotherapy in favorable-risk patients.
  • Therapy escalation, involving novel agents and extended durations, may improve long-term cure rates in high-risk patients.

Conclusions:

  • Risk stratification is crucial for optimizing HER2+ breast cancer treatment with newer agents.
  • Tailoring treatment intensity (de-escalation or escalation) based on patient risk is key to maximizing efficacy and minimizing toxicity.
Keywords:
HER2+ breast canceradjuvantbreast cancerneoadjuvanttargeted therapy

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