Tailoring antiHer2 treatment strategies in breast cancer and beyond

Palma Fedele1, Valeria Sanna2, Anna Natalizia Santoro1

  • 1"D. Camberlingo" Hospital, ASL Brindisi, Italy.

Current Problems in Cancer
|September 2, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Precision medicine offers new Her2-targeted cancer treatments. Anti-Her2 therapies are effective for breast cancer and show promise in other solid tumors like lung and gastrointestinal cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Precision Medicine

Background:

  • Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (Her2) signaling is implicated in approximately 20% of breast cancers, defining an aggressive subtype.
  • Anti-Her2 targeted therapies are now standard of care for Her2-positive breast cancer, significantly altering patient outcomes.
  • Challenges remain in personalizing early-stage breast cancer treatment via de-escalation and escalation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the challenges and opportunities in tailoring anti-Her2 treatments for breast cancer.
  • To explore the emerging role of Her2 dysregulation in solid tumors beyond breast cancer.
  • To summarize recent clinical trial findings on anti-Her2 therapies in various cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent clinical trials involving anti-Her2 targeted therapies.
  • Analysis of Her2 dysregulation in the context of solid tumor carcinogenesis.
  • Synthesis of data on treatment de-escalation and escalation strategies.

Main Results:

  • Anti-Her2 targeted therapy is a cornerstone in managing Her2-positive breast cancer.
  • Emerging evidence highlights Her2 dysregulation in other solid tumors, including gastrointestinal and lung cancers.
  • Recent clinical trials demonstrate promising outcomes for anti-Her2 therapies in these diverse tumor types.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-Her2 treatments represent a significant advancement in precision oncology for Her2-driven cancers.
  • The application of anti-Her2 therapies is expanding beyond breast cancer, offering new therapeutic avenues.
  • Further research is needed to optimize personalized treatment strategies, including de-escalation and escalation, in early-stage disease.

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...
7.8K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.1K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
643
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.4K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.6K