HER2-Positive Inflammatory Breast Cancer Challenges of Clinical Practices

Abstract

HER2-positive inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is associated with poor overall survival. Targeted therapies have led to improved outcomes. IBC is underrepresented in clinical trials due to its rareness. This case reports a 52-year-old woman diagnosed with IBC of 119x89mm, axillar node-positive, hormone receptor-negative, HER2 positive. The patient underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy with dual HER2 blockage. Mastectomy histology showed pathological complete response. After two cycles of adjuvant trastuzumab, the patient developed asymptomatic cardiotoxicity leading to the therapeutic suspension. Early recurrence and persisting cardiac alterations prevented treatment with anti-HER2 therapy. At the time of brain recurrence, with cardio-oncology collaboration, it was possible to start TDM-1, with a reduction of 71% of brain lesions size, after two cycles. This case highlights the effectiveness of anti-HER therapy in IBC and the importance of multidisciplinary discussion in treatment choice and toxicity management.