Drug resistance in breast cancer brain metastasis: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

Abstract

Brain-metastatic breast cancer (BMBC) is a severe complication of advanced breast cancer, affecting 15-30% of metastatic patients, particularly those with HER2-positive or triple-negative subtypes, and is associated with dismal prognosis and median survival under 12 months. Therapeutic resistance, driven by the central nervous system's sanctuary role, poses a major barrier to effective treatment, often resulting in discordant intracranial versus extracranial responses. This comprehensive review highlights BMBC resistance mechanisms, drawing from preclinical models, clinical studies, and genomic analyses. Key drivers include genetic/epigenetic alterations, BBB-mediated drug exclusion via efflux transporters, and microenvironmental interactions with astrocytes and immune cells that promote survival signaling. Additional factors encompass cancer stem cell plasticity/dormancy enabling therapy evasion, metabolic reprogramming and extracellular matrix remodeling that shields tumor from drugs. We highlight how these interconnected pathways create a protective niche for metastatic cells. Promising strategies to overcome resistance include BBB-penetrant agents, antibody-drug conjugates, nanomedicine, and combination therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment and epigenetics. By integrating mechanistic insights with translational opportunities, this review emphasizes the potential for personalized, multi-targeted approaches to improve patient outcomes in BMBC.