Managing metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer in the older patient

Rachel A Freedman; Hyman B Muss

doi:10.1016/j.jgo.2013.10.001

Managing metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer in the older patient

J Geriatr Oncol. 2014 Jan;5(1):2-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2013.10.001. Epub 2013 Oct 30.

Authors

Rachel A Freedman¹, Hyman B Muss²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: rafreedman@partners.org.
² 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.

PMID: 24484711
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2013.10.001

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2; Metastatic; Older women.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / administration & dosage
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
Breast Neoplasms / chemistry*
Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Clinical Trials as Topic
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Female
Humans
Neoplasm Metastasis
Receptor, ErbB-2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
Trastuzumab

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Antineoplastic Agents
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
ERBB2 protein, human
Receptor, ErbB-2
Trastuzumab