Challenges in the management of advanced, ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer

Hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer accounts for the majority of all breast cancers. The evolution of this disease from early stage to the metastatic setting leads to increased heterogeneity and the development of treatment resistance representing a great challenge for management decisions. In this Review, we examine the current evidence that can guide treatment decisions in patients with advanced-stage ER+ breast cancer, discuss how to tackle these therapeutic challenges and provide suggestions for the optimal management of this patient population. Hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer accounts for the majority—up to 80%—of all breast cancers. The evolution of breast cancer from early stage to the metastatic setting leads to increased heterogeneity, the occurrence of new mutations, and the development of treatment resistance representing a great challenge for management decisions. Unfortunately, little data exist to offer guidance in this context, and a reliance on traditional clinical parameters remains when deciding on optimal treatment. In advanced-stage oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) disease, ongoing issues include the choice between endocrine therapy and chemotherapy, the appropriate sequence of treatment agents, and the incorporation of biological agents, such as everolimus, into the treatment armamentarium. In metastatic disease, repeated biopsies can help to reassess the receptor or genetic mutational status; however, the evidence to support this approach is limited. In this Review, we examine the current evidence that can guide treatment decisions in patients with advanced-stage ER+ breast cancer, discuss how to tackle these therapeutic challenges and provide suggestions for the optimal management of this patient population.