AUTHOR=Huang Jiajia , Chen Limin , Song Lihua , Tong Zhongsheng , Sun Tao , Wang Xiaojia , Liu Yi , Wang Shusen 

TITLE=Real-world treatment patterns and outcomes among patients with HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic breast cancer in China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1527990

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2025.1527990

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=BackgroundBreast cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world and the leading cause of cancer mortality in women worldwide. In past few years, anti- human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) therapy for metastatic breast cancer (mBC) has rapidly altered in China. This study aimed to describe treatment patterns and outcomes in patients with HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic breast cancer in the real-world setting.MethodsThis multicenter, retrospective analysis evaluated the treatment patterns and the efficacy in newly diagnosed HER2+ mBC patients between Jan 1, 2020 and Aug 31, 2022. Electronic medical records from 5 cancer centers in China were used.ResultsAmong 865 patients, the most common first-line (1L) treatment regimen was dual anti-HER2 blockade monoclonal antibody-based therapy (Dual anti-HER2 mAB: 36.07%), followed by single anti-HER2 blockade mAB-based therapy (Single anti-HER2 mAB: 21.97%) and single Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-based therapy (Single TKI: 19.19%). In the second-line (2L), the primary treatment was single TKI regimen (35.45%), followed by TKI+anti-HER2 blockade mAB-based therapy (TKI+anti-HER2 mAB: 16.36%) and single anti-HER2 mAB (15.15%). De novo mBC at initial diagnosis, recurrence post 6 months of (neo)adjuvant treatment, absence of brain metastasis, and younger age, were associated with the choice of dual anti-HER2 mAB regimen in 1L treatment. Conversely, patients receiving anti-HER2 therapy in (neo)adjuvant setting, having brain metastasis, and experiencing a recurrence within 6 months were more likely to receive TKI-based regimen. The median rwPFS of 1L and 2L treatment declined sequentially, with values of 11.04 [95% confidence interval (CI) 10.19–12.03] months and 7.59 (95% CI 6.21–9.20) months, respectively. Longer disease-free interval (DFI) and the choice of dual-anti HER2 regimen in 1L treatment were associated with longer rwPFS.ConclusionThe results of this study provide valuable real-world insight into HER2 positive mBC treatment trends and clinical outcomes, informing subsequent patient management.