In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the impact of early side effects requiring ado-trastuzumab emtansine dose interruptions or reductions on outcomes for patients with HER2+ advanced metastatic breast cancer.
This study concluded that these side effects do not impact the outcomes for these patients.
Some background
Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1; Kadcyla) is a targeted therapy. It is used as a single agent to treat HER2+, metastatic breast cancer (BC). T-DM1 is generally well tolerated by patients with HER2+ advanced BC.
Adverse events (AE’s) are side effects of treatment. They can sometimes lead to treatment doses being adjusted or treatment being stopped completely depending on the severity of AEs. It was not known if AEs requiring T-DM1 dose interruption or reductions would lead to altered outcomes for patients with HER2+ advanced metastatic BC.
Methods & findings
This study involved 893 patients with HER2+ advanced metastatic BC who received T-DM1 treatment. AEs during the first 4 months leading to dose interruption or reduction were recorded. The effect of this on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was monitored.
AEs requiring T-DM1 dose interruptions or reductions within the first 4 months of treatment were not significantly associated with OS or PFS.
The bottom line
This study concluded that early AEs requiring T-DM1 dose interruptions or reductions did not lead to an altered long-term OS or PFS.
Published By :
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Date :
Aug 09, 2019
