Blog

For people living with metastatic breast cancer, the disease is more than a diagnosis. It is a lived experience that can shape daily routines, family life, work, emotional wellbeing, and plans for the future.² It can also be isolating – especially when individuals feel that the reality of their subtype of breast cancer is not fully understood by others.⁶ At BioNTech, we strive to deeply understand the unique journey of people with metastatic breast cancer. This understanding drives our commitment to addressing their specific needs, reminding us that behind every area of unmet need in metastatic breast cancer treatment is a person seeking more time, a new treatment option, and more reasons to believe in what comes next.

“Living with metastatic breast cancer means learning how to move forward while living with uncertainty. I also have to spend my energy educating people that my breast cancer is different than what most hear about, that it is not curable today,” said Stephanie Walker, a patient living with metastatic breast cancer and Chair of the MBC Alliance. “But still, you show up for treatment, for your family, and for everyday life. I also need science to show up for me so I can have hope for my future too.”   

HR-positive/HER2-low metastatic breast cancer has features that make it different from other forms of the disease and harder to treat. While it tests positive for hormone receptors, resistance to endocrine therapy can develop over time.⁵ At the same time, HER2 expression is present but too low for standard HER2-targeted therapies – leaving some with limited options as the disease progresses.⁵ As a result, treatment decisions can become increasingly complex, with quality of life considerations weighing more heavily in care decisions.⁵ At BioNTech, we are committed to exploring new approaches and providing treatment options for those who need them most.

Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer is often considered one of the most challenging forms of breast cancer. Because it lacks three markers that commonly help guide treatment decisions in other subtypes, it does not respond to some of the targeted treatments available to people with other forms of breast cancer.³ For some, that can mean fewer established options and a greater sense of urgency – despite recent advances in treatment options.³ That is why continued research and development in this area matters so much. At BioNTech, we are actively investigating new approaches specifically for people with metastatic TNBC – where the need for new options remains especially significant.  

Understanding why some forms of breast cancer are harder to treat than others – and how resistance can develop over time – is where science begins and where we focus our efforts. Disease can evolve, and what works at one point may not work at another.^1,2,4,5 That complexity is not a reason to step back; it is a reason to go further. We aim to translate science into survival by advancing treatment options that reflect the challenges people face.

“Scientific progress doesn’t happen all at once. It requires collaboration and open-mindedness, as well as courage and persistence to tackle even the harder-to-treat forms of cancer. Every clinical trial we conduct and every insight we gain adds to a growing body of knowledge that may help shape future options for patients,” said Silke Guenther, MD, Senior Director Global Medical Affairs, BioNTech.