Treatment and outcome for HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer patients: A Danish retrospective cohort.
Author
Term
5. Term (Master thesis)
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-12-29
Pages
22
Abstract
Background: Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 positive metastatic breast cancer (HER2+ MBC) has a high tendency to develop central nervous system (CNS) metastases and is associated with a poor prognosis. However, in recent years, progress in systemic treatment has substantially improved survival. Danish real-world data describing treatment and outcomes, for this patient group, remains limited. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 100 patients diagnosed with de novo or recurrent HER2+ MBC and treated with first-line double anti-HER2 treatment at Aalborg University Hospital between 2014–2024. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression were used to evaluate prognostic factors including performance status (PS), tumor burden, estrogen receptor status, age, and CNS metastases. Results: Median PFS in first-, second-, and third-line therapy was 15.7, 7.7, and 4.5 months, respectively. Median OS for the full cohort was 49.3 months. High tumor burden, patients presenting with or developing CNS metastases, and patients in PS >0 were significantly associated with shorter PFS and OS. In the multivariable analysis, CNS metastases (HR 2.31), high tumor burden (HR 1.88), and PS 2 (HR 4.46) remained independent predictors of worse survival. Tumor burden predicted time to CNS metastases, however estrogen receptor status did not. Conclusion: The findings of this Danish cohort with HER2+ MBC patients were comparable to international real-world data and support the efficacy of the current treatment guidelines. CNS metastases, tumor burden, and PS had a major impact on survival and emphasizes the need for continued refinement of treatment for these patient groups in the future.
Keywords
kræft ; brystkræft ; HER2 ; metastase
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