Detecting and Treating HER2 Alterations in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Expert and Patient Perspectives

Tanios Bekaii-Saab, MD, provides a brief overview of the typical presentation and diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Patient Elle Charnisky shares the symptoms that led to her diagnosis of HER2+ metastatic colorectal cancer, and the online resources she used for education after.

Dr Tanios Bekaii-Saab explains the rarity of HER2+ metastatic colorectal cancer and how his clinical practice detects HER2 alterations.

Elle Charnisky describes her experience with molecular testing, and Nurse Practitioner Deanna Griffie details how she explains testing to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Tanios Bekaii-Saab, MD, explains the barriers to molecular testing for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, and how they can be addressed.

Dr Bekaii-Saab provides an overview of the first-line treatment options in metastatic colorectal cancer, and the factors that impact treatment decision-making.

Patient Elle Charnisky shares her experience with a conventional chemotherapy treatment for her HER2+ metastatic colorectal cancer before transitioning to targeted therapies.

Dr Tanios Bekaii-Saab describes for which patient groups he would use anti-HER2 therapies as a second-line treatment for HER2+ metastatic colorectal cancer.

Deanna Griffie, MSN, AGNP-BC, shares how common toxicities in patients with HER2+ mCRC being treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan are treated at her clinic.

John Strickler, MD, details the design and outcomes of the MOUNTAINEER trial investigating the combination treatment of tucatinib with trastuzumab for HER2+ metastatic colorectal cancer.

Elle Charnisky, a patient with stage IV HER2+ metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), joins a panel of healthcare professionals to discuss how HER2 alternations are detected and how patients with HER2+ mCRC are optimally treated to improve outcomes.

Deanna Griffie, MSN, AGNP-BC, and Tanios Bekaii-Saab, MD, explain how they manage the toxicities of tucatinib in patients with HER2+ mCRC, and how they educate patients on what to expect.

Elle Charnisky, a patient with HER2+ metastatic colorectal cancer, and Deanne Griffie, a nurse practitioner, share advice for patients and caregivers living with HER2+ mCRC.

The panel closes by highlighting currently unmet needs in the treatment and management of metastatic colorectal cancer.