Emerging Therapies for Brain Metastases in NSCLC, Breast Cancer, and Melanoma: A Critical Review

Abstract

Purpose of review: Advancements in precision medicine have shifted the treatment paradigm of brain metastases (BM) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer, and melanoma, especially through targeted therapies focused on specific molecular drivers. These novel agents have improved outcomes by overcoming challenges posed by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and resistance mechanisms, enabling more effective treatment of BM.

Recent findings: In NSCLC, therapies such as osimertinib have improved efficacy in treating EGFR-mutant BM, with emerging combinations such as amivantamab and lazertinib offering promising alternatives for patients resistant to frontline therapies. In HER2-positive breast cancer, significant advancements with tucatinib and trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) have transformed the treatment landscape, achieving improved survival and intracranial control in patients with BM. Similarly, in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), novel therapies such as sacituzumab govitecan (SG) and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) offer new hope for managing BM. For melanoma, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab and ipilimumab has proven effective in enhancing survival for patients with BM, both in BRAF-mutant and wild-type cases. Developing targeted therapies penetrating the BBB has revolutionized BM treatment by targeting key drivers like EGFR, ALK, HER2, and BRAF. Despite improved survival, challenges persist, particularly for patients with resistant genetic alterations. Future research should optimise combination therapies, overcome resistance, and refine treatment sequencing. Continued emphasis on personalized, biomarker-driven approaches offers the potential to further improve outcomes, even for complex cases.

Keywords: Antibody-drug conjugates; Brain metastasis; HER2-positive breast cancer; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Non-small cell lung cancer; Targeted therapy.