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For some breast cancer subtypes, you may get targeted therapies. These are more exact than chemotherapy, which affects all fast-growing cells throughout the body. There are many options for both early-stage and advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Targeted therapies work in one of these ways:
- They target a gene or protein that causes cancer growth.
- They damage cancer cells directly.
- They tell your immune system to attack certain cells. This is also called immunotherapy.
Breast Cancer Care Tailored to You
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.
How Targeted Therapy Is Used for Breast Cancer Treatment
Based on the specific features of your cancer, your care team may recommend targeted therapy. They will consider whether your disease is HER2 positive or hormone receptor positive and whether you have BRCA gene changes.
Sometimes, targeted therapies are a pill that you take at home. Or they can be given by infusion in repeating cycles. They can be used alone or with other treatments. Some can improve the effects of hormone therapy and are only used along with hormone therapy.
For HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Several therapies target breast cancer that is HER2-positive. This means the cancer cells make too much of a protein called HER2/neu. HER-targeted therapies may be given alone or with chemotherapy or another targeted therapy. They include:
- Ado-trastuzumab emtansine
- Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan
- Lapatinib
- Neratinib
- Pertuzumab
- Trastuzumab
- Tucatinib
For Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
Cell-cycle inhibitors are an option for advanced or metastatic breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and HER2-negative. HR+ means the cancer cells have places where hormones can attach. These medicines block proteins in the life cycle of cancer cells. They help stop the growth and spread of breast tumors. Examples include CDK4/6 inhibitors, such as palbociclib, ribociclib or abemaciclib. If cancer cells have changes in the gene PIK3CA, a targeted medication called alpelisib may be recommended.
Everolimus is an mTOR inhibitor. It targets a protein that allows breast cancer cells to grow out of control. Everolimus is sometimes used for patients who are past menopause with advanced cancer that is HR+ and HER2-negative.
All of these can be used along with hormone therapy.
For BRCA Gene Mutations
Patients with BRCA gene changes may benefit from therapy with PARP inhibitors. These medicines help kill cancer cells by making DNA repair harder for them. Cells that cannot repair their DNA are more likely to be killed by other treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation. PARP inhibitors include olaparib and talazoparib.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer
At Fred Hutch, you get medical oncology care from leading physicians who specialize in breast cancer. Different breast cancers start, progress and respond to treatments in different ways. They are experts in their field and know how to choose, combine and schedule your treatments based on what works for your situation.
We often have clinical trials testing new drugs or new combinations of drugs for breast cancer. So, we can offer you therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
Your care team at Fred Hutch is here to help you prevent or prepare for side effects and to relieve any side effects you have. The most important step you can take is to speak up and let your team know what you’re feeling. We’ve helped many patients and families through this process and know ways to ease your experience.
We can give you practical tips for dealing with whatever you’re going through, like how to cope with fatigue. For some side effects, like diarrhea, your care team can recommend over-the-counter medicine or give you a prescription to help. Our supportive care providers can help too. For example, you can meet with a Fred Hutch social worker or psychologist to discuss concerns related to relationships, body image, intimacy and sexuality.