Breast cancer treatment decisions rely on HER2 and ER status from tumor biopsies, but these markers don’t always predict how a patient will respond to treatment. New therapies like ADCs and CDK4/6 inhibitors have improved outcomes but added complexity, higher costs, and risks of side effects. This makes finding better biomarkers crucial to ensuring patients receive the most effective treatments.
Molecular imaging techniques, such as HER2-PET, FES-PET, and FDG-PET, provide a way to analyze tumor characteristics throughout the body. These scans can help identify treatment targets, detect non-responders early, and reduce reliance on invasive biopsies. RNA sequencing also offers insights into the genetic makeup of rare breast cancer types, opening doors to more precise treatment strategies.
Research has shown that molecular imaging can predict treatment response and track disease progression. For instance, FES-PET accurately determines ER status in metastases, while HER2-PET identifies variations in HER2 expression within a patient. These techniques can guide the use of targeted therapies and help avoid ineffective treatments. Patients also report a lower burden with PET scans compared to biopsies.
Studies into inflammatory breast cancer—a rare and aggressive form—highlighted the importance of comprehensive treatment, showing better outcomes for those receiving chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy as recommended. Despite challenges, this research of Jasper van Geel increased awareness and demonstrated the feasibility of a national registry for rare cancers.
Overall, advancements in molecular imaging and personalized approaches offer hope for more effective and less invasive breast cancer treatments.
