Trastuzumab, leuprorelin, letrozole, and palbociclib as first-line therapy in HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer: A case report

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors are promising candidates for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. However, current international guidelines recommend endocrine therapy alone or with HER2-targeted therapy to treat HER2-positive and hormone receptor (HR)-positive metastatic breast cancer in patients who cannot tolerate first-line chemotherapy. Moreover, data on the effectiveness and safety of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors combined with trastuzumab and endocrine therapy as a first-line treatment for HER2-positive and HR-positive metastatic breast cancer are limited. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 50-year-old premenopausal woman was with epigastric pain for more than 20 days. Ten years ago, she was diagnosed with left breast cancer and underwent surgical treatment, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy. DIAGNOSES: After relevant examination, the patient was diagnosed with liver, lung, and left cervical lymph node metastatic HER2-positive and HR-positive carcinoma from the left breast after systemic therapy. INTERVENTIONS: The laboratory investigations showed that the patient’s liver function was seriously damaged due to the liver metastases, and the patient was assessed as unable to tolerate chemotherapy. She was treated with trastuzumab, leuprorelin, letrozole, and piperacillin combined with percutaneous transhepatic cholangic drainage. OUTCOMES: The patient’s symptoms were relieved, her liver function returned to normal, and the tumor showed partial response. Neutropenia (Grade 3) and thrombocytopenia (Grade 2) occurred during treatment but improved after symptomatic treatment. To date, the progression-free survival of the patient is over 14 months. LESSONS: We believe that trastuzumab, leuprorelin, letrozole, and palbociclib is a feasible and effective treatment for HER2-positive and HR-positive metastatic breast cancer in premenopausal patients who cannot tolerate first-line chemotherapy.