Molecular landscape and emerging therapeutic strategies in breast cancer brain metastasis

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Advanced BC with brain metastasis (BM) is a major cause of mortality with no specific or effective treatment. Therefore, better knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies and improving clinical outcomes. In this review, we focused on the latest advances and discuss the contribution of the molecular subtype of BC, the brain microenvironment, exosomes, miRNAs/lncRNAs, and genetic background in BCBM. The blood-brain barrier and blood-tumor barrier create challenges to brain drug delivery, and we specifically review novel approaches to bypass these barriers. Furthermore, we discuss the potential application of immunotherapies and genetic editing techniques based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology in treating BCBM. Emerging techniques and research findings continuously shape our views of BCBM and contribute to improvements in precision therapies and clinical outcomes.

Automated summary

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and brain metastasis of breast cancer is a major cause of mortality with no effective treatment. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain metastasis is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the molecular subtype of breast cancer, brain microenvironment, exosomes, miRNAs/lncRNAs, and genetic background in brain metastasis. It also discusses novel approaches to bypass the blood-brain barrier and blood-tumor barrier, as well as the potential application of immunotherapies and genetic editing techniques in treating brain metastasis.