A Review of the Advancements in Targeted Therapies for Breast Cancer

John Kessellie Jallah1, Tuward J Dweh2, Ashish Anjankar3

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND.

Cureus
|November 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Targeted therapies are revolutionizing breast cancer treatment by personalizing strategies for subtypes like HR+, HER2+, and TNBC. This review explores advancements in precision medicine, including genetic profiling and novel drug classes, to improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Breast cancer is a leading global health threat, with projected increases in cases by 2040.
  • Despite medical advances, breast cancer incidence and mortality remain significant challenges.
  • Targeted therapies offer personalized treatment strategies, improving outcomes and reducing side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of current developments in targeted breast cancer therapies.
  • To examine subtype-specific treatments for hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-positive (HER2+), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
  • To explore the role of genetic mutations (e.g., BRCA1/2, PIK3CA) and molecular profiling in guiding therapy selection.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on targeted breast cancer treatments.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data for monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors.
  • Examination of emerging therapeutic approaches and challenges in precision oncology.

Main Results:

  • Targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors, demonstrate efficacy across different breast cancer subtypes.
  • Genetic profiling and molecular markers are crucial for selecting appropriate targeted treatments.
  • Advances in personalized medicine are leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced toxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Personalized targeted therapies represent a paradigm shift in breast cancer management.
  • Addressing resistance mechanisms and exploring combination therapies are key future directions.
  • Continued research and collaboration are essential to optimize breast cancer treatment strategies.

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