title: Targeted Therapies in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer - a Systematic Review.
abstract: About 20% of all breast cancer patients have a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast tumor. This entity underwent an impressive change in prognosis, with notable improvement of progression-free survival and overall survival. Due to more aggressive tumors and no specific therapy, HER2 overexpression was historically seen as a negative prognostic marker, with worse prognosis and increased risk of recurrent disease. Trastuzumab, the first anti-HER2 antibody, revolutionized the systemic therapy options in HER2-positive breast cancer and initiated several targeted therapies and more personalized treatment strategies. Over the years, multiple HER2-targeting drugs stepped into clinical practice, for the curative as well as the metastatic situation. This review summarizes the targeted treatment options in HER2-positive breast cancer and their current impact in the clinical routine. Results of the most outstanding trials in HER2-targeted therapies and important ongoing trials are subsequently described for an up-to-date overview.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Amelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Nikolaus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Gregorio
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Widschwendter
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Visnja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huober
keywords: Dual HER2 blockade; HER2-positive breast cancer; Targeted therapies