*This information was originally published as part of an abstract for the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS)*
Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer and the Unmet Patient Need
Breast cancer remains one of the most complex and heterogeneous diseases in oncology, with treatment decisions increasingly guided by molecular characterization. The recognition that HER2 expression exists along a spectrum rather than as a binary positive or negative classification has redefined care for patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC). This new understanding has expanded treatment opportunities for individuals with HER2-low disease, who may benefit from targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
Yet, many patients are still not receiving optimal therapy due to inconsistent HER2 testing, uncertainty about how to interpret expression levels, and limited familiarity with the safety and sequencing of emerging HER2-directed treatments. Education that aligns treatment selection with updated evidence is essential to ensuring that every patient receives the most effective, individualized care.
The Medlive Approach
To close these gaps, Medlive teamed up with Living Beyond Breast Cancer to develop an interactive, case-based CME initiative, “Journeying Through the Spectrum of HER2 Expression Breast Cancer Clinic,” designed to help oncology clinicians apply evidence-based treatment strategies across the full HER2 spectrum.
The program consisted of two 30-minute video tracks and a series of micro-learning segments distributed through LinkedIn to NPI-verified oncologists.
- Track 1: How Are We Caring for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer?
- Track 2: How Does HER2-Low Expression Impact Treatment Decisions?
Each module featured real-world clinical decision points, expert discussion, and polling questions to encourage active learning. Topics included HER2 testing and classification, optimal sequencing of HER2-directed ADCs, and AE management.
Key Findings
- Broad engagement: A total of 1,361 participants engaged with the program, including 463 CME learners and 898 micro-learning participants. Most were oncologists (81%) and reported treating an average of 10 patients with HER2+ mBC per week.
- Significant knowledge gains: Average correct responses across all learning objectives increased from 44% to 60% (+16%), with the largest improvement in confidence treating HER2-low mBC, rising from 13% to 66% (+53%, p<0.01).
- Enhanced testing practices: Learners demonstrated greater clarity regarding the need for confirmatory FISH testing to verify HER2 status, reflecting improved application of updated testing protocols.
- Practice transformation: Among intended practice changes, clinicians prioritized more personalized treatment sequencing (36%), increased use of HER2-targeted agents in second-line settings (29%), and stronger AE monitoring (27%). Additional changes included more rigorous testing for HER2-low expression (25%) and higher clinical trial referral rates (20%).
Conclusion: Collaborating for Improved Patient Outcomes
This interactive education significantly improved clinicians’ ability to differentiate among HER2-targeted therapies and apply treatment strategies based on HER2 expression levels. Post-activity outcomes indicated greater recognition of novel ADCs as preferred next-line options in HER2-low disease and improved competence in testing, treatment sequencing, and AE management.
Persistent gaps highlight the need for continued education to reinforce how HER2 expression influences therapeutic selection and to optimize treatment decisions across the expanding spectrum of HER2-positive and HER2-low breast cancer.
To learn more about partnering with Medlive to develop impactful CME programs, reach out via our Contact Us page.
This initiative was supported by an independent educational grant from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
