HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: a double-edged sword

摘要

As a result of improvements in early detection and adjuvant therapy, breast cancer mortality rates have steadily declined over recent years, especially in younger women [l]. Although patients with metastatic disease are living longer, treatment goals remain largely palliative, and efficacy gains must be balanced against quality-of-life concerns. Cytotoxic agents are somewhat indiscriminant in targeting specifically malignant versus normal - that is, nonmalignant - cells, and are therefore associated with significant side effects.