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Combination improves human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer response rates
A combination of lapatinib, trastuzumab, and paclitaxel significantly improved tumor response rates in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancers, according to a new study presented at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Texas.
Key Points
A combination of lapatinib, trastuzumab, and paclitaxel significantly improved tumor response rates in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancers, according to a new study presented at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Texas.
Early data indicate a 50% rate of pathological complete remission in HER2-positive breast tumors, compared with 20% when the agents are used alone, said researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. "This is a new concept and does imply a sea of change in the way we explore these therapies," said Jose Baselga, MD, PhD, lead researcher and chief of the division of hematology and oncology at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston.
"This study suggests that a dual blockade against HER2 is an efficient way to target HER2-positive breast tumors and that lapatinib adds to trastuzumab," Dr Baselga said.
"It has been suggested in basic science research and smaller clinical trials that the combination of these therapies would be more effective than either alone, but this is the first time it has been shown in a large clinical setting," Dr Baselga said.
