A new study has found that artificial intelligence (AI) significantly improves physicians’ ability to identify breast cancer patients who may benefit from targeted therapies aimed at the HER2 protein—even when the protein is present at very low levels in cancer cells.
One such therapy is Enhertu, developed by AstraZeneca, which has shown effectiveness in patients with low HER2 expression—a group that has historically been difficult to identify due to limitations in diagnostic precision. Traditional testing methods may misclassify these patients as HER2-negative, potentially denying them access to life-extending treatments.
According to data from the U.S. National Cancer Institute, 50% to 60% of breast cancer patients have tumors with low levels of HER2, highlighting the importance of accurate classification.
AI Fills a Critical Diagnostic Gap
The study, which will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, emphasizes that demand for Enhertu has far outpaced the ability to definitively identify eligible patients using conventional diagnostics.
In response, researchers—funded by AstraZeneca—partnered with Mindpeak, a company specializing in AI-powered pathology tools, to develop a training program designed to assist pathologists in evaluating HER2 protein expression in breast cancer tissue.
Dr. Marina De Brot, from the A.C. Camargo Cancer Center in São Paulo, Brazil, who led the research team, stated:
“Our study provides the first multinational evidence that AI can enhance the accuracy of HER2 scoring—positive, negative, and low—helping to close significant diagnostic gaps and enabling more patients to access advanced treatments.”
She added, “Until recently, most of these patients did not have viable therapeutic options.”
Why HER2 Matters
HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2) is part of a family of receptors that regulate cell growth and division. While it plays a key role in normal cellular processes, mutations or overexpression of HER2 can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and the development of aggressive cancers, including certain types of breast cancer.
Targeting HER2 has become a cornerstone of breast cancer treatment, with therapies like Enhertu offering hope even for patients with low or borderline HER2 expression levels.
