BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the impact of trastuzumab-based regimens on the survival of patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The study specifically focussed on the influence of the continuation of trastuzumab-based treatment despite tumor progression on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with HER2 overexpressing MBC were included in this retrospective analysis. HER2 overexpression was determined by the immunohistochemical staining score (DAKO Hercep Test). Trastuzumab was applied at a loading dose of 4 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg. RESULTS: Among 136 HER2 overexpressing patients (DAKO score 3+), 66 patients received first-line trastuzumab, 47 patients received trastuzumab as second-line therapy and 23 patients received trastuzumab beyond disease progression. There was no significant difference regarding the duration of trastuzumab-based treatment (first-line: 29.5 weeks vs. second-line: 25 weeks). Moreover, there was no difference in the response rate (first-line: 37.9% vs. second-line: 35.7%) or the median survival (p = 0.47 log rank). Patients who received = 2 trastuzumab-based regimens for MBC survived significantly longer compared to those who had received only 1 regimen (= 2 regimens: 62.4 months vs. 1 regimen: 38.5 months; p = 0.01 log rank). CONCLUSIONS: Trastuzumab is highly effective in the treatment of HER2 overexpressing MBC. Compared to historical controls, overall survival appears to be markedly prolonged, particularly in patients who received sequential trastuzumab-based treatment beyond disease progression.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the impact of trastuzumab-based regimens on the survival of patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The study specifically focussed on the influence of the continuation of trastuzumab-based treatment despite tumor progression on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with HER2 overexpressing MBC were included in this retrospective analysis. HER2 overexpression was determined by the immunohistochemical staining score (DAKO Hercep Test). Trastuzumab was applied at a loading dose of 4 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg. RESULTS: Among 136 HER2 overexpressing patients (DAKO score 3+), 66 patients received first-line trastuzumab, 47 patients received trastuzumab as second-line therapy and 23 patients received trastuzumab beyond disease progression. There was no significant difference regarding the duration of trastuzumab-based treatment (first-line: 29.5 weeks vs. second-line: 25 weeks). Moreover, there was no difference in the response rate (first-line: 37.9% vs. second-line: 35.7%) or the median survival (p = 0.47 log rank). Patients who received = 2 trastuzumab-based regimens for MBC survived significantly longer compared to those who had received only 1 regimen (= 2 regimens: 62.4 months vs. 1 regimen: 38.5 months; p = 0.01 log rank). CONCLUSIONS:Trastuzumab is highly effective in the treatment of HER2 overexpressing MBC. Compared to historical controls, overall survival appears to be markedly prolonged, particularly in patients who received sequential trastuzumab-based treatment beyond disease progression.
Authors: Yu-Ning Wong; Rebecca A Ottesen; Melissa E Hughes; Joyce C Niland; Richard Theriault; Stephen B Edge; Douglas Blayney; Jane C Weeks Journal: Oncologist Date: 2011-03-30
Authors: Christoph Uleer; Jasmin Yazdan-Pourfard; Bernhard Holland; Bürrig Karl-Friedrich; Christina Moisidis-Tesch; Gunter von Minckwitz Journal: Breast Care (Basel) Date: 2012-02-21 Impact factor: 2.860
Authors: S Dent; Sh Verma; J Latreille; D Rayson; M Clemons; J Mackey; Su Verma; J Lemieux; L Provencher; S Chia; B Wang; K Pritchard Journal: Curr Oncol Date: 2009-08 Impact factor: 3.677