Breast Cancer: Subtype-Driven Management and Breakthrough Therapies
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally. It is a heterogeneous disease with several subtypes, each requiring a tailored approach.
Key Subtypes and Therapies
- HR+ / HER2-:Hormonal therapy (e.g., letrozole, fulvestrant) ± CDK4/6 inhibitors (e.g., palbociclib).
- HER2+: Targeted by trastuzumab (Herceptin®), pertuzumab (Perjeta®), and newer ADCs like trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu®)s (e.g., palbociclib).
- Triple-negative (TNBC): Often aggressive; treated with chemo, immunotherapy (e.g., atezolizumab), or PARP inhibitors in BRCA-mutant cases.
Surgical and Radiation Options
Most early-stage patients undergo lumpectomy or mastectomy, followed by radiation as appropriate. Neoadjuvant approaches are increasingly used for tumor downstaging and early response assessment.
Future Directions
Novel ADCs, AKT inhibitors, and therapies targeting ESR1 mutations and HER2-low disease are broadening the therapeutic landscape.