Targeting HER2-positive breast cancer: advances and future directions

The long-sought discovery of HER2 as an actionable and highly sensitive therapeutic target was a major breakthrough for the treatment of highly aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer, leading to approval of the first HER2-targeted drug — the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab — almost 25 years ago. Since then, progress has been swift and the impressive clinical activity across multiple trials with monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antibody–drug conjugates that target HER2 has spawned extensive efforts to develop newer platforms and more targeted therapies. This Review discusses the current standards of care for HER2-positive breast cancer, mechanisms of resistance to HER2-targeted therapy and new therapeutic approaches and agents, including strategies to harness the immune system. The discovery of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab almost 25 years ago revolutionized treatment and drug development for HER2 + breast cancer. Here, Swain et al. review the current standard of care for HER2 + breast cancer, describe mechanisms of drug resistance and focus on next-generation platforms and therapies for the treatment of this disease.