20.500.12556/DiRROS-30462 Advancing HER2-low breast cancer management enhancing diagnosis and treatment strategies Napredek pri obvladovanju raka dojk z nizkim izraženjem receptorja HER2 Recent evidence brought by novel anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody-drug conjugates is leading to significant changes in HER2-negative breast cancer (BC) best practices. A new targetable category termed ‘HER2-low’ has been identified in tumors previously classified as ‘HER2-negative’. Daily practice in pathology and medical oncology is expected to align to current recommendations, but patient access to novel anticancer drugs across geographies might be impeded due to local challenges. Materials and methods An expert meeting involving ten regional pathology and oncology opinion leaders experienced in BC management in four Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia) was held. Herein we summarized the current situation of HER2-low metastatic BC (mBC), local challenges, and action plans to prevent delays in patient access to testing and treatment based on expert opinion. Results Gaps and differences at multiple levels were identified across the four countries. These included variability in the local HER2-low epidemiology data, certification of pathology laboratories and quality control, and reimbursement conditions of testing and anticancer drugs for HER2-negative mBC. While clinical decisions were aligned to international guidelines in use, optimal access to testing and innovative treatment was restricted due to significant delays in reimbursement or limitative reimbursement conditions. Conclusions Preventing delays in HER2-low mBC patient access to diagnosis and novel treatments is crucial to optimize outcomes. Multidisciplinary joint efforts and pro-active discussions between clinicians and decision makers are needed to improve care of HER2-low mBC patients in CEE countries. metastatic breast cancer HER2-low innovative treatment metastatski rak dojke nizek HER2 inovativno zdravljenje true false true Association of Radiology and Oncology Ljubljana Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Neznano 2026-06-26 10:56:29 2026-06-26 10:56:29 2026-06-27 03:52:14 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2024 0 0 str. 258-267, X no. 2 Vol. 58 Jun. 2024 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2024-06-01 618.1 1318-2099 10.2478/raon-2024-0030 199923715 RAZ_Borstnar_Simona_2024.pdf RAZ_Borstnar_Simona_2024.pdf 1 FFECBCF9702FC0B4AD0722B0AB44C57C 4eac1f30b685b7144710054e3d1b4290e5d9dfe2d250cd56b502e10449a439f6 4041ab0f-713d-11f1-b414-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=46263 Društvo radiologije in onkologije Onkološki inštitut Ljubljana 0 0 0