Treatments on the Horizon: Breast Cancer Patients with Central Nervous System Metastases

Curr Oncol Rep. 2022 Mar;24(3):343-350. doi: 10.1007/s11912-022-01206-2. Epub 2022 Feb 9.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The goal of this paper is to provide a review on the current emerging management strategies as described in the literature pertaining to breast cancer and central nervous system metastases. As systemic oncology treatments evolve, so are new approaches to the management of central nervous system metastases from breast cancer.

Recent findings: In this review, we describe how novel treatment strategies have evolved from standard chemotherapy to more targeted approaches, innovative drug delivery methodologies, immunotherapeutics, and radiotherapeutic approaches. We describe innovative treatment strategies on the horizon for breast cancer and central nervous metastases. Future therapeutics may be better able to penetrate through the blood-brain-barrier bypassing limitations from standard therapies. These pioneering strategies will hopefully improve patients' quality of life as well as survival.

Keywords: Blood–brain-barrier; Brain metastases; Breast Cancer; CAR-T; Immunotherapy; Intrathecal treatment; Leptomeningeal metastases; Radiation therapy; Systemic treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Central Nervous System / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary*
  • Quality of Life