Drug Treatment Direction Based on the Molecular Mechanism of Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis

  • Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025 Feb 16;18(2):262. doi: 10.3390/ph18020262.
Yumin Zhang  1 Haotian Shang  1 Jiaxuan Zhang  2 Yizhi Jiang  1 Jiahao Li  1 Huihua Xiong  1 Tengfei Chao  1
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
  • 2. Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Abstract

Today, breast Cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Brain metastases (BMs) are a common complication among individuals with advanced breast Cancer, significantly impacting both survival rates and the overall condition of life of patients. This review systematically analyzes the innovative approaches to drug treatment for breast Cancer brain metastases (BCBMs), with particular emphasis placed on treatments targeting molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways and drug delivery strategies targeting the blood brain barrier (BBB). The article discusses various drugs that have demonstrated effectiveness against BCBM, featuring a mix of monoclonal antibodies, nimble small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and innovative antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). This study of various drugs and techniques designed to boost the permeability of the BBB sheds light on how these innovations can improve the treatment of brain metastases. This review highlights the need to develop new therapies for BCBM and to optimize existing treatment strategies. With a deeper comprehension of the intricate molecular mechanisms and advances in drug delivery technology, it is expected that more effective personalized treatment options will become available in the future for patients with BCBM.

Keywords
BBB; BCBM; CDK4/6inhibitors; Her2; LRP-1; NOTCH pathway; VEGF; WNT pathway; nanotechnology.
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