Journal Watch - Metastatic Breast Cancer, Her2 Positive

Journal of Clinical Oncology, April 20, 2009

What are treatment options for a patient with Her2 positive metastatic breast cancer that is no longer responding to Herceptin (trastuzumab)?

One option is to continue the Herceptin treatment. This works if a second chemotherapy drug is added to the Herceptin. If the patient is already on a chemotherapy drug with the Herceptin, then changing to a new chemotherapy drug is also effective. This approach can result in improved cancer response and improved disease free survival.

d progression in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive advanced breast cancer: a German Breast Group 26/Breast International Group 03-05 study" in the Journal of Clinical Oncology April 20, 2009. www.jco.org

They found that it was beneficial to keep using Herceptin and add the chemotherapy drug Xeloda (capecitabine). This resulted in a better cancer response and longer disease free survival than stopping Herceptin and using Xeloda alone. Overall survival was not changed.

Continuing Herceptin and using a second chemotherapy drug is a good treatment option. I have successfully used this strategy in my practice.

The future of cancer treatment is bright!

Dr. L