Metastatic Breast Cancer Tumor Mutates 3 Times; Precision Drug Controls Condition

A 41-year-old woman diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer faced a life-or-death situation as her cancer cells underwent three morphological changes, but her condition was brought under control through precision new drug therapy. The medical community is calling for the National Health Insurance (NHI) to accelerate coverage for new drugs, noting that metastatic breast cancer tumors have high heterogeneity. The Taiwan Breast Cancer Alliance and the Taiwan Breast Cancer Society held a press conference today on 'Precision Treatment for HER2-low Breast Cancer.' Rao Kun-ming, Deputy Director of the Department of Hematology and Oncology at E-Da Cancer Hospital, shared the cancer-fighting journey of this 41-year-old patient. Rao pointed out that the patient's breast cancer cells underwent three morphological changes during treatment (HER2-positive, triple-negative, and HER2-low), which created significant bottlenecks in traditional treatment. After metastasis, a biopsy revealed the 'HER2-low' classification, which coincided with the availability of new drugs. After just a few courses of treatment, the lesions that had spread to her skin were alleviated. Rao explained that next-generation ADC drugs are like precision missiles equipped with navigation; they possess a special 'bystander effect,' not only attacking target cells but also precisely and comprehensively killing unevenly growing malignant cells nearby. However, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and low platelet counts can occur, and treatment should be followed according to medical advice. Chen Fang-ming, Chairman of the Taiwan Breast Cancer Society, pointed out that in the past, breast cancer pathology tests only used a binary 'HER2-positive and negative' classification. This classification limited treatment strategies and left many patients facing recurrence or metastasis with no medical options within the traditional framework. Chen mentioned that international authoritative treatment guidelines (NCCN) now recognize 'HER2-low' as an independent new classification and have included corresponding next-generation precision ADC drugs in international standard therapy, opening a new window for patients. Chen believes that following international guidelines, further refining patient pathological characteristics, and providing appropriate precision care is the key to achieving the national goal of reducing cancer mortality. Furthermore, he reminded the public to undergo regular breast examinations. Huang Shu-fang, Chairman of the Taiwan Breast Cancer Alliance, stated that although new medical knowledge has brought life-saving drugs for 'HER2-low,' there are still gaps in Taiwan's current NHI coverage, and late-stage or metastatic hormone-positive, HER2-low groups are not yet covered. She hopes the government will hear the aspirations of patients, accelerate alignment with international trends, and complete the puzzle of precision coverage for breast cancer.