Abstract PO3-20-07: Five years and counting: A case of a 47-year-old female with De Novo Metastatic HER2 positive disease on multiple lines of treatment
Authors: Unson Sofia Dominique , Li Rubi 
Published: May 2024

HER2-positive breast cancer refers to a specific subtype of breast cancer characterized by the overexpression or amplification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein on the surface of cancer cells. The overexpression of HER2 leads to increased signaling pathways that promote cell growth and division, making HER2-positive breast cancer inherently more aggressive compared to other subtypes. The aggressive behaviour of HER2-positive disease may be attributed to its rapid cell growth, high metastatic potential, and increased risk of recurrence. Fortunately, there are targeted therapies that specifically inhibit the HER2 protein. These targeted treatments help to block HER2 signaling, slow down tumor growth, and reduce the risk of recurrence. We report a case 47 year old premenoapausal Filipino female diagnosed with de-novo metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer with liver and lung metastasis in 2018. Advised Pertuzumab Trastuzumab and Taxane therapy but due to financial constraints was amenable only to Trastuzumab and Paclitaxel. During treatment noted symptomatic cardiac decline, hence shifted to Lapatinib & Capecitabine, tolerated well with stable disease for 1 year. Disease then progressed to the contralateral breast, given 6 cycles of Ado Trastuzumab Emtansine with partial response followed by modified radical mastectomy of the right and toilet total mastectomy of the left breast. She was lost to follow up. Her cancer recurred 1 year later as skin lesions on chest wall. She was given 6 cycles of Ado Trastuzumab Emtansine, however still with progression as skin lesions on the chest. Patient was then given 5 cycles of Trastuzumab with Eribulin. Despite treatment, there was progression with symptomatic brain metastasis and further increase in size and number of skin metastasis of the chest wall. Lesions were noted to be ulcerating and bleeding. Hence patient underwent 5 of 5 sessions of Fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy and 10 of 10 sessions of palliative radiotherapy to the chest wall. Patient was then given Pertuzumab & Trastuzumab with note of improvement of chest wall lesions. However, after 7 cycles of treatment, noted progression again as skin metastasis on the chest wall. Hence patient was shifted to Trastuzumab Deruxtecan. At the time of writing, the patient has had a good response with Fam-Trastuzumab Deruxtecan-nxki with partial resolution of her skin metastases on the chest with stable disease of lung and brain target lesions. No bleeding or ulcerations of the lesions and no recurrence of dizziness or imbalance reported. The patient will continue to receive Fam-Trastuzumab Deruxtecan-nxki until disease progression and/or unacceptable toxicity. Here we have a case of patient with extended survival after being fortunate to have received multiple lines of treatment for the disease. In this case we were able to apply the advances of research in HER2-positive breast cancer and see it in the clinical setting. Thus, ultimately translating to extended overall survival for the patient. We see the importance of continuous research on HER2-positive breast cancer disease and how these studies have helped us in overcoming treatment resistance, understanding disease progression, tailoring of therapies to individual patients, optimizing treatment outcomes, developing new therapies, and enhancing the quality of life for patient. Ongoing research continues to explore new therapeutic approaches and strategies to further improve outcomes for individuals with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. This is truly an exciting time for cancer research because what used to be a very deadly disease is now becoming something that we are able manage.

Citation Format: Sofia Dominique Unson, Rubi Li. Five years and counting: A case of a 47-year-old female with De Novo Metastatic HER2 positive disease on multiple lines of treatment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO3-20-07.