Local Cancer Expert Explains What the New HER2-Low Classification of Breast Cancer Means for Breast Cancer Treatment

From OHC

January 6, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joanie Manzo
Director, Marketing & Physician Services
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Benjamin T. Herms, MD, medical oncologist and hematologist at OHC

The average woman has a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer. As a result of the recent FDA approval of a new breast cancer treatment, we now have another breast cancer classification subtype: HER2-low. What does this mean for treatment options and should breast cancer patients have their tumors re-tested?

“As part of their breast cancer diagnosis, patients’ breast cancer tissue is sampled and tested in a lab for biomarkers including hormones and the HER2 protein that might be fueling tumor growth,” said OHC medical oncologist and hematologist Benjamin T. Herms, MD. “In this era of precision medicine, these test results help doctors select the best treatment option for every patient’s individual cancer.” Until recently, patients were told whether or not their cancer cells tested positive or negative for the HER2 protein. Now, we also have the HER2-low classification.

“HER2 (human epidermal growth factor 2) is a protein found on the surface of most breast cancer cells and levels of the protein can be different from one patient to the next,” explained Dr. Herms. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing in a lab, pathologists evaluate breast tissue samples and assign them a score of 0-3+:

• Patients scoring 3+ are HER2-positive.
• Patients receiving a 2+ are considered borderline and receive additional testing to determine the positive or negative classification.
• Patients scoring 0-1+ are HER2-negative.

According to the FDA, of the new cases of female breast cancer diagnosed in 2022, 80-to-85 percent were previously considered to be HER2-negative. “The concept of HER2-low was introduced in the DESTINY-Breast04 clinical trial, and the results of the study were presented at the ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Annual Meeting this past summer,” said Dr. Herms. HER2-low was defined as having a score of 1-2 on IHC. The phase three trial evaluated Enhertu for patients with HER2-low breast cancer that had metastasized (spread) or was unable to be surgically removed.

As a result of the DESTINY-Breast04 clinical trial, about 60 percent of 2022 breast cancer cases are now considered HER2-low and eligible for the newly FDA-approved Enhertu, a precision targeted therapy. Enhertu is now another option for these patients if they develop resistance to standard treatment options of chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, or immunotherapy. Study results revealed that patients using Enhertu had prolonged survival.

“Because HER2-low is an evolving concept, we anticipate that treatment approaches will also evolve,” said Dr. Herms. “We recommend that newly diagnosed patients confirm their precise HER2 status with their doctors. If your tumor was previously tested, ask your doctor to retest it as the results could impact your treatment.”

OHC has a team of fellowship-trained breast surgeons who collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of leading cancer experts that include medical, gynecologic, and radiation oncologists; hematologists, blood and marrow transplant specialists, cellular therapy specialists, radiology, pathology, and plastic surgery. To learn more about OHC’s breast surgical oncology team or to request a second opinion, call 1-888-649-4800 or visit ohcare.com.

OHC (Oncology Hematology Care) has been fighting cancer on the front lines for more than 37 years. We are the region’s leading experts in the treatment of nearly every form of adult cancer and complex blood disorder. OHC cancer experts include medical oncologists, hematologists, blood and marrow transplant specialists, cellular therapy specialists, radiation oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and breast surgical oncologists. OHC continues to bring leading-edge treatment options through its nationally recognized cancer research and clinical trials program. OHC is the first, most experienced, and only certified independent adult cancer practice in the region to offer the revolutionary immunotherapy treatment, CAR-T, for adults, ushering in a new frontier in the fight against cancer. OHC is certified by the American Society of Clinical Oncology in the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification Program and was one of only a select few cancer practices nationally to be accepted to participate in the Oncology Care Model, part of The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation. At its heart, our approach to cancer care is simple — to surround you with everything you need so you can focus on what matters most: beating cancer. For more information about OHC, or a second opinion, call 1-888-649-4800 or visit ohcare.com.