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Oncotarget

HER2-Low Breast Cancer: A New Understanding

Feb 12, 2025
Whitney L. Hensing, a prominent researcher from the University of Missouri KC School of Medicine, delves into the newly recognized category of HER2-low breast cancer. She discusses how this evolved classification impacts treatment decisions, particularly the role of novel therapies like antibody drug conjugates. Hensing highlights the significance of ongoing research improving diagnostics and access to therapies for this patient group, revealing a new frontier in breast cancer management that could change lives.
08:01

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Quick takeaways

  • HER2-low breast cancer represents a new treatment category, requiring clinicians to adjust their strategies and consider novel therapeutic options like antibody drug conjugates.
  • The variability in HER2 expression necessitates ongoing reassessment of patients' HER2 status, highlighting the complexity of classifying breast cancer accurately.

Deep dives

Understanding HER2-Low Breast Cancer

HER2-low breast cancer involves tumors that exhibit some HER2 protein expression but do not meet the criteria for HER2-positive status, specifically having an immunohistochemistry score of 1-plus or 2-plus without gene amplification. Historically, these tumors were treated similarly to HER2-negative cases, focusing primarily on hormone therapy or chemotherapy. The advent of antibody drug conjugates, notably TDXD, has transformed treatment options by showing efficacy in HER2-low tumors, as evidenced by the DESTINY Breast 4 trial, which demonstrated significant survival improvements compared to standard chemotherapy. This shift highlights the need to redefine treatment paradigms based on HER2 status rather than relying solely on the traditional classifications of HER2 positivity or negativity.

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