Front Row Seat: The Enigma of the Blood-Brain Barrier & More with Dr. Nancy Lin

What happens when breast cancer spreads to the brain — and what can actually be done about it? In this episode, host Victoria Goldberg sits down with Dr. Nancy Lin, medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and one of the country's leading experts on metastatic breast cancer and brain metastasis.Dr. Lin breaks down the current treatment landscape for all subtypes — HER2+, ER+, and triple negative — covering everything from antibody drug conjugates like T-DXd and sacituzumab, to oral agents like tucatinib, to advances in focused radiation techniques. She also shares her nuanced take on the HER2 CLIMB-05 trial, why the brain metastasis prevention data were disappointing, and what the Patina trial data tells us about CDK4/6 inhibitors.Then we go deeper — into the blood-brain barrier itself. Dr. Lin explains why it's been called an enigma, what the "blood-tumor barrier" actually means for treatment, and what cutting-edge technologies like focused ultrasound and receptor-mediated transcytosis could change about drug delivery to the brain. Plus: should patients with metastatic breast cancer be getting routine brain MRIs? Dr. Lin's answer may surprise you.In this episode:New treatment options for brain mets across subtypesWhat tucatinib does — and doesn't — do for preventionThe blood-brain barrier vs. the blood-tumor barrierFocused ultrasound and microbubbles: science fiction becoming realityDrugs being designed from the ground up to cross the blood-brain barrierRoutine brain MRI screening: is the pendulum shifting?A preview of upcoming research, including the LMD registryThis podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Visit livefromstage4.org for transcripts, resources, and deeper explanations of everything discussed.Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links. Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer.Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.