Managing metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer in the older patient.
Treating older patients with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer is often challenging. This is largely due to the issues providers face in making decisions in the setting of limited efficacy and toxicity data specific to older women in addition to the competing challenges of managing comorbidity and preserving functional status. Here, we discuss currently available treatment regimens and other important issues to consider when treating older patients with metastatic, HER2-positive disease.
Department of Medical Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: rafreedman@partners.org.
Rachel A
RA
Freedman
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, 170 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA. Electronic address: hyman_muss@med.unc.edu.
Hyman B
HB
Muss
D000368:Aged; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human
Breast cancer; Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2; Metastatic; Older women