Immunotherapy for HER-2 positive breast cancer

Immunotherapy is a developing treatment for advanced breast cancer. Immunotherapy has clinical significance for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancers and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) breast cancers. As a proved effective passive immunotherapy, clinical application of the monoclonal antibodies trastuzumab, pertuzumab and T-DM1 (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) has significantly improved the survival of patients with HER2+ breast cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors that block programmed death receptor-1 and its ligand (PD-1/PD-L1) have also shown benefits for breast cancer in various clinical trials. Adoptive T-cell immunotherapies and tumor vaccines are emerging as novel approaches to treating breast cancer, but require further study. This article reviews recent advances in immunotherapy for HER2+ breast cancers.

Automated summary

Immunotherapy is a promising treatment for advanced breast cancer, particularly for triple-negative and HER2+ breast cancers. Monoclonal antibodies like trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and T-DM1 have proven effective in treating HER2+ breast cancers and have improved patient survival. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 have also shown benefits in clinical trials. Adoptive T-cell immunotherapies and tumor vaccines are new approaches that require further study.