Sarah Sammons, MD

Panelists discuss how, data-free navigation of HER2+ breast cancer treatment requires careful consideration of established guidelines while accounting for individual patient factors. Treatment typically follows a multimodal approach, combining targeted HER2 therapies, chemotherapy, and surgery based on clinical expertise.

Panelists discuss how; the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer typically involves HER2-targeted therapies combined with chemotherapy. First-line treatment usually consists of trastuzumab plus pertuzumab with a taxane. Subsequent lines may include T-DM1, tucatinib-based combinations, or other HER2-directed therapies, with treatment selection guided by disease characteristics and prior therapy response.

Panelists discuss how, TDM-1 (Trastuzumab emtansine/Kadcyla) is an antibody-drug conjugate used in HER2-positive breast cancer treatment. This targeted therapy combines Herceptin's cancer-cell targeting ability with a potent chemotherapy drug, delivering treatment directly to cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

Panelists discuss how, locally advanced HER2-positive breast cancer is characterized by overexpression of HER2 proteins with regional spread beyond the primary tumor, involving either extensive lymph node involvement, chest wall, or skin, but without distant metastases. Treatment typically combines targeted HER2 therapy, chemotherapy, and local interventions.

Panelists discuss how, for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, standard treatment typically combines surgery with targeted therapy (like trastuzumab/Herceptin), chemotherapy, and often radiation. This multi-modal approach, tailored to individual factors, has significantly improved survival rates for this aggressive subtype.

Closing out their review of the HER2+ metastatic breast cancer treatment landscape, expert oncologists look forward to future evolutions in the paradigm.

Panelists center their discussion on the challenges inherent in managing leptomeningeal metastases in patients with HER2+ breast cancer.

Experts share brief insights on novel agents in development for HER2+ breast cancer and consider how they may impact the treatment landscape.

Centering discussion on trastuzumab deruxtecan use in HER2+ metastatic breast cancer, experts elucidate adverse event management and concurrent radiation therapy.

A brief review on how best to use MRI following CNS-directed radiation therapy in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer.

Following review of the final patient scenario, panelists consider later-line treatment options in the setting of multiply relapsed HER2+ metastatic breast cancer.

Comprehensive review of novel combination treatment strategies being explored for patients with HER2+ breast cancer and brain metastases.

Panelists reflect on sequencing therapy for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer following disease progression on the tucatinib, trastuzumab and capecitabine regimen.

A panel of expert oncologists highlight the use of the tucatinib, trastuzumab and capecitabine regimen that was investigated in the HER2CLIMB trial to manage patients with HER2+ breast cancer and brain metastases.

Expert perspectives on the respective role of radiation therapy to manage brain metastases in the setting of HER2+ breast cancer.

Shared consideration on the factors that dictate selection of optimal therapy for patients with HER2+ breast cancer and brain metastases.

Switching to a patient case of brain metastases in HER2+ breast cancer, panelists highlight available therapeutic strategies in this setting.

A brief review on how best to identify, delay, or avoid brain metastases in patients diagnosed with metastatic HER2+ breast cancer.

Having outlined available treatment options for patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer, expert panelists share which factors help to select optimal therapy.

Comprehensive insight to the treatment armamentarium for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer throughout several lines of therapy.

Expert panelists open their discussion on HER2+ breast cancer by reviewing a patient case of metastatic disease with no CNS involvement.