Survival rates for women diagnosed with early-stage metastatic breast cancer have dramatically improved in Northern Italy, rising from 20% to 60% over the past decade, according to research published December 29, 2025, in the journal Cancers.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Azienda USL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, attributes the increase to the introduction of targeted therapies and widespread access to organized mammography screening. Francesco Marinelli, lead author of the study and an epidemiologist at the institution and his team analyzed data from patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in the region.
The research focused on what is termed “early” metastatic breast cancer, meaning the disease had spread from the primary tumor but was still relatively contained. The improvements in survival were particularly notable in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, a subtype known for its aggressive nature. A separate study, published October 28, 2025, in Breast Cancer Research, found that median overall survival for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and brain metastases increased from 26.2 months (1997-2014) to 41.2 months (2015-2024).
Although HER2-positive cases showed the most significant gains, the study likewise indicated improvements in survival for other subtypes, though to a lesser extent. Patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer saw a non-statistically significant increase in survival, while those with triple-negative breast cancer experienced a more modest improvement, with median overall survival increasing from 7.0 months to 14.9 months between the two time periods studied.
National estimates from Australia, released November 27, 2025, demonstrate a broader trend of increasing breast cancer survival rates. The five-year relative survival rate for all breast cancer diagnoses rose from 75% in 1987-1991 to 93% in 2017-2021. These figures encompass all stages of the disease, not solely metastatic cases.
The Italian study highlights the importance of early detection through mammography screening. The region’s established screening programs likely contributed to the identification of more cases at an earlier, more treatable stage. The availability of modern, targeted therapies, including those specifically designed for HER2-positive breast cancer, also played a crucial role in improving outcomes.
Researchers continue to investigate factors influencing survival in metastatic breast cancer, including the impact of brain metastases. The Breast Cancer Research study noted that approximately 20-30% of patients with metastatic breast cancer develop brain metastases during the course of their illness.
The Azienda USL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia has not yet announced plans for further research building on these findings, but the Epidemiology Unit continues to monitor trends in cancer survival and mortality in the region.
