2020
Occurrence of brain metastasis and treatment patterns among patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer
Research Disease Progression, Treatment Patterns Cancer Breast
The risk of brain metastasis (BM) is high (up to 50%) among patients diagnosed with HER2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) compared with HER2-negative MBC. There are limited real-world data on the timing of BM development and subsequent treatment among such patients. The objective of this observational study was to assess BM occurrence and treatment among women with HER2+ MBC. The study concluded that BM were common among patients with HER2+ MBC, and occurred at various points during the course of treatment. Post-BM systemic therapy varied widely, which may indicate a lack of standard of care for patients with HER2+ MBC after BM diagnosis and an unmet need in this patient population. Further analysis on treatment efficacy is required to understand whether treatment needs are met.