# Evidence-Based Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Advanced HER2-Positive and HER2-Low Breast Cancer in Colombia

**Authors:** Mauricio Lema, Luz F. Sua, Abrahám José Hernández Blanquisett, William Mantilla, Marc Edy Pierre, Hernán Carranza, Julio Ricardo Zuluaga Peña, Aura Victoria Gutiérrez Raba, Sandra Ximena Franco

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/jcm15020514 · 2026-01-08

## TL;DR

This paper provides updated clinical guidelines for treating advanced HER2-positive and HER2-low breast cancer in Colombia, aiming to standardize care and improve patient outcomes.

## Contribution

The study offers the first evidence-based, nationally tailored clinical recommendations for HER2-related breast cancer in Colombia.

## Key findings

- Twenty-two clinical recommendations were developed, covering diagnosis, treatment, and management of brain metastases.
- Five recommendations were strong, while 17 were conditional due to local resource constraints.
- The guidelines aim to standardize care and promote equitable access to therapies in Colombia.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: The management of advanced HER2-positive and HER2-low breast cancer is evolving rapidly. This study aimed to generate national, evidence-based clinical recommendations for Colombia, addressing the lack of standardized local guidance. Methods: A systematic literature search (2020–2024) was conducted. The evidence was evaluated using AGREE II, RoB 2, ROBINS-I, and JBI tools. Recommendations were developed using the GRADE approach and a structured modified Delphi consensus process involving 34 national experts. Results: A total of 22 clinical recommendations were formulated. These address HER2 quantification and reporting, first-line and subsequent-line therapy, and management of brain metastases. Five recommendations (23%) were classified as strong, supported by high-certainty evidence, while 17 (77%) were conditional, reflecting the need for adaptation to local contexts and resource availability. Conclusions: This consensus provides updated, context-specific clinical guidance to optimize the care of patients with advanced HER2-positive and HER2-low breast cancer in Colombia. The recommendations are designed to standardize care, improve patient outcomes, and promote equitable access to innovative therapies within the Colombian healthcare system.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** ERBB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2)
- **Diseases:** breast cancer (MONDO:0004989)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** ERBB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2) [NCBI Gene 2064] {aka CD340, HER-2, HER-2/neu, HER2, MLN 19, MLN-19}
- **Diseases:** metastases (MESH:D009362), Breast Cancer (MESH:D001943)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12841800/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12841800