Growing a new approach: from one-size-fits-all to personalized cancer care
In Ireland, the cancer landscape has shifted dramatically in the last decade. The story of Lydia Whelan, a 32-year-old diagnosed with stage 2 HER2+ breast cancer in 2024, reflects a broader national trend: treatments are becoming more tailored, more precise, and more hopeful for patients across the country. HER2+ breast cancer was once among the harder types to treat, but advances in targeted therapies and diagnostics have turned the disease into one of the most treatable forms today, with survival rates improving and side effects becoming better managed.
HER2+ breast cancer: turning off the cancer switch
HER2+ breast cancer is driven by an overabundance of the HER2 protein. As Professor William Gallagher of University College Dublin explains, this protein switch made the cancer more aggressive in the past. Now, a range of drugs targets HER2 in different ways, effectively turning off the switch. That shift has altered the treatment landscape and improved outcomes for countless patients in Ireland.
Doctors emphasize that this progress extends beyond a single cancer type. The collective advance—spanning biology, genetics, and drug development—has transformed what was once feared as a grim prognosis into a disease that many patients live with and recover from successfully.
From chemotherapy to precision medicine
Fifty years ago, cancer treatment largely depended on surgery, radiation, and early chemotherapy. Today, researchers increasingly look at the genetic makeup of tumors to predict behavior and tailor therapy accordingly. The Irish research community has been at the forefront of these efforts, exploring how gene signatures allow clinicians to predict aggressiveness and spare some patients from chemotherapy when it isn’t necessary.
Claire Kilty of the Irish Cancer Society notes that this era of precision medicine has expanded survival odds. She highlights how immunotherapy, particularly drugs like pembrolizumab, is revolutionizing outcomes for many cancers by engaging the patient’s own immune system to fight tumors. This shift not only improves survival but can also reduce some treatment-related burdens for patients.
Immunotherapy and the promise of vaccines
Immunotherapy has become a centerpiece of modern oncology in Ireland. By unmasking cancer cells, these therapies help the immune system recognize and destroy tumors. The field continues to evolve, with ongoing research in cancer vaccines—building on the rapid success of mRNA technology seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trials are exploring how these vaccines might train the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, offering another route to durable responses with fewer side effects.
Non-invasive diagnostics and earlier detection
Another leap forward is the use of liquid biopsies—blood tests that detect tumor DNA shed into the bloodstream. In Ireland, such tests are increasingly integrated into practice, enabling less-invasive diagnosis and monitoring of disease. For diseases like lung cancer, this can mean earlier detection and faster intervention, improving prognosis.
AI and the future of personalized care
Artificial intelligence is being explored as a tool to enhance radiology, screening, and treatment planning. By identifying subtle patterns in imaging or molecular data, AI could guide clinicians toward the most effective, individualized regimens while minimizing unnecessary treatments. This aligns with the field-wide aim: to tailor care to each patient’s tumor biology and personal circumstances, reducing side effects and improving quality of life.
Real-world impact: patient stories and ongoing hope
While Lydia’s journey was demanding—six rounds of chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation—her experience underscores a hopeful reality: advances in targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and personalized medicine are not abstract ideas but practical changes that touch the lives of patients. The recovery can be strenuous, but the treatment landscape today offers improved survival rates and a clearer path forward.
A look to the future
Experts acknowledge that more work remains. Prostate cancer, lung cancer, and other diseases continue to demand better, personalized strategies, from understanding how cancer spreads to reducing recurrence. With leaders in research and policy emphasizing funding for innovation, Ireland remains well-positioned to push survival rates higher and to make cutting-edge treatments accessible to more people across the country.
Takeaway for patients and families
What matters most for patients and caregivers is access to accurate diagnostics, targeted therapies, and holistic care that minimizes side effects. The move away from one-size-fits-all treatment reflects a broader commitment to treating cancer as a disease that is highly personal—one that requires individual strategies grounded in biology, patient values, and the best available science.
