Analysis of HER2-Low Breast Cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To perform the first national analysis of demographic and clinicopathological features associated with the HER2 positive, HER2-low, and HER2-zero invasive breast cancers in New Zealand. The study will reveal the proportion of women who may benefit from new HER2-targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC) therapies. METHODS: Utilising data from Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae (Breast Cancer Foundation NZ National Register), the study analysed data from women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer over a 21-year period. The HER2 status of tumours was classified into three categories-HER2-zero, HER2-low, HER2-positive. RESULTS: From 2009-2021, 94% of women underwent HER2 testing, with 14% diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. For advanced-stage disease, 38% of those formerly classified as HER2-negative were reclassified as HER2-low. Including HER2-positive breast cancers, this indicates that 60% of women with advanced breast cancer may potentially benefit from the new HER2-directed ADCs (approximately 120 women per year). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a significant proportion of women with invasive breast cancer in New Zealand could benefit from new HER2-targeted treatments. There is a need to standardise HER2 testing to enhance personalised treatment and improve outcomes.