Management of Brain Metastases from Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Positive (HER2+) Breast Cancer

Abstract

In the past 5 years, the treatment options available to patients with HER2+ breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) have expanded. The longer survival of patients with HER2+ BCBM renders understanding the toxicities of local therapies even more important to consider. After reviewing the available literature for HER2 targeted systemic therapies as well as local therapies, we present a simplified algorithm for when to prioritize systemic therapies over local therapies in patients with HER2+ BCBM.