How an Unexpected Diagnosis Led to Life-Saving Targeted Therapy

At just 35 years old, Kate W. received the news that she had stage IV breast cancer, an aggressive form that had already spread to multiple locations in her body, including her chest lymph nodes, spine, pelvis, and one of her femurs. Already the mother of two young daughters, Audrey and Olivia, Kate was shocked. She maintained a healthy lifestyle, had no history of cancer in her family, and was not yet 40 — the recommended age to begin routine mammograms.

Her diagnosis happened almost by accident. While pregnant, Kate had a prenatal genetic test that hinted at breast cancer, but she tragically miscarried soon after. Additional scans and biopsies exposed the full scope of her condition: HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, typically linked to poorer outcomes if untreated. Immediately, her medical team at Cleveland Clinic, led by oncologist Dr. Jame Abraham, devised an intensive chemotherapy regimen combined with targeted therapies, including trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta). Clinical studies had shown these monoclonal antibody drugs could effectively slow or even halt disease progression in HER2+ cases.

Kate’s treatment began with rigorous chemotherapy cycles for three months, without surgery. Over time, PET scans consistently returned with the remarkable status: “no evidence of active disease.” Now, for over three years, her cancer has remained in remission. She continues to receive maintenance infusions through an IV port every 21 days to keep the cancer from returning.

In gratitude and determination, Kate has become a champion for metastatic breast cancer research. With support from her husband, Scott, and a circle of family and friends, she has raised more than $35,000 to advance new treatments. She also actively engages in METAvivor, a peer support group, and takes part in Cleveland Clinic’s VeloSano fundraising efforts.

Kate’s case underscores that a stage IV breast cancer diagnosis is not necessarily a death sentence. Advances in targeted therapies and early, aggressive treatment can lead to remission, providing hope and a future for patients once facing grim statistics.