Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 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

Targeted agents for HER2-positive breast cancer in older adults: current and future perspectives

Enrique Soto-Perez-De-Celis1, Kah Poh Loh2, Capucine Baldini3

  • 1a Department of Geriatrics , Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran , Mexico City , Mexico.

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|September 11, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Older adults with HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) have limited data on targeted therapies. This review examines current HER2 treatments, discusses new drugs, and highlights cardiotoxicity risks in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Breast cancer (BC) disproportionately affects older women (≥65 years), with 10-15% overexpressing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).
  • Existing HER2-targeted therapies lack sufficient data for optimal use in elderly patients, hindering evidence-based treatment decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy and safety of approved HER2-targeted therapies in older adults with BC.
  • To discuss emerging HER2-targeting drugs and strategies for overcoming treatment resistance.
  • To highlight the cardiotoxicity associated with HER2-targeted therapies in the geriatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of current evidence on HER2-targeted therapies in older adults with BC.
  • Focus on approved agents: trastuzumab, lapatinib, pertuzumab, ado-trastuzumab-emtansine, and neratinib.
  • Exploration of novel therapeutic agents and resistance mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Older adults are underrepresented in clinical trials for HER2-targeted BC therapies.
  • Cardiotoxicity is a significant concern for HER2-targeted drugs in this demographic.
  • Evidence for efficacy and safety in older adults is limited but growing.

Conclusions:

  • Increased recruitment of older adults into clinical trials is crucial for generating robust evidence.
  • Tailored treatment strategies considering age-related factors and potential toxicities are needed.
  • Further research is required to optimize HER2-targeted therapy for elderly patients with breast cancer.
Keywords:
HER2 receptorado-trastuzumab emtansinebreast neoplasmscancer vaccinescardiotoxicitylapatinibmolecular targeted therapyolder adultspertuzumabtrastuzumab

More Related Videos

Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model09:29

Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model

Published on: March 20, 2020

18.9K
Initiation of Metastatic Breast Carcinoma by Targeting of the Ductal Epithelium with Adenovirus-Cre: A Novel Transgenic Mouse Model of Breast Cancer07:13

Initiation of Metastatic Breast Carcinoma by Targeting of the Ductal Epithelium with Adenovirus-Cre: A Novel Transgenic Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

Published on: March 26, 2014

24.0K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.9K
Position-effect Variegation02:32

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
7.1K
Psychodynamic Perspectives on Personality01:27

Psychodynamic Perspectives on Personality

The psychodynamic perspective in psychology asserts that most personality functions operate unconsciously, outside of awareness. This means that the motives and emotions driving behavior often remain hidden, automatically buried in the unconscious mind as a defense mechanism to shield us from psychological distress. According to this theory, the unconscious mind contains thoughts, memories, and emotions that are too disturbing to face directly.
Psychodynamic theorists argue that unconscious...
1.6K
Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective01:23

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
376
The Behavioral Perspective on Personality01:19

The Behavioral Perspective on Personality

Behaviorists view personality as primarily shaped by environmental reinforcements and consequences. According to this perspective, behavior is influenced by external stimuli, and individuals adjust their actions based on rewards and punishments. Over time, learning histories — accumulated patterns of reinforcement — play a significant role in shaping personality. Behaviors that lead to positive outcomes are reinforced, while those resulting in negative outcomes are diminished.
832
Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality01:30

Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality

Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
1.0K