Dissemin is shutting down on January 1st, 2025

Published in

MDPI, Cancers, 5(15), p. 1385, 2023

DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051385

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Unlocking the Resistance to Anti-HER2 Treatments in Breast Cancer: The Issue of HER2 Spatial Distribution

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Approximately 15% of breast cancers are classified as HER2-positive, with an amplification of the ERBB2 gene and/or an overexpression of the HER2 protein. Up to 30% of HER2-positive breast cancers shows heterogeneity in HER2 expression and different patterns of spatial distribution, i.e., the variability in the distribution and expression of the HER2 protein within a single tumour. Spatial heterogeneity may potentially affect treatment, response, assessment of HER2 status and consequently, may impact on the best treatment strategy. Understanding this feature can help clinicians to predict response to HER2-targeted therapies and patient outcomes, and to fine tune treatment decisions. This review summarizes the available evidence on HER2 heterogeneity and spatial distribution and how this may affect current available treatment choices, exploring possible opportunities for overcoming this issue, such as novel pharmacological agents, belonging to the group of antibody–drug conjugates.