AUTHOR=Wang Gui , Yang Chenghui , Zeng Donglin , Wang Jihao , Mao Huaxin , Xu Yu , Jiang Chao , Wang Zhen 

TITLE=Case report: Successful treatment of a rare HER2-positive advanced breast squamous cell carcinoma

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1332574

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2024.1332574

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Breast squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncommon and highly aggressive variant of metaplastic breast cancer. Despite its rarity, there is currently no consensus on treatment guidelines for this specific subtype. Previous studies have demonstrated that chemotherapy alone has limited efficacy in treating breast SCC. However, the potential for targeted therapy in combination with chemotherapy holds promise for future treatment options.</p><p><bold>Case presentation:</bold> In this case report, we present a patient with advanced HER2-positive breast SCC, exhibiting a prominent breast mass, localized ulcers, and metastases in the lungs and brain. Our treatment approach involved the administration of HER2-targeted drugs in conjunction with paclitaxel, resulting in a sustained control of tumor growth.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> This case represents a rare occurrence of HER2-positive breast SCC, with limited available data on the efficacy of previous HER2-targeted drugs in treating such patients. Our study presents the first application of HER2-targeted drugs in this particular case, offering novel therapeutic insights for future considerations. Additionally, it is imperative to conduct further investigations to assess the feasibility of treatment options in a larger cohort of patients.</p>