In a nutshell This study evaluated the benefit of the new HER2-targeted therapy T-DM1 compared to an often-used alternative treatment. Some background Breast cancers expressing the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein are known as HER2-positive cancer. In recent years therapies that directly target the HER2 protein, for...
Read More
In a nutshell This article reviewed data from recent clinical trials investigating the drug pertuzumab (perjeta) as treatment for metastatic HER2+ breast cancer. Some background HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein found on the surface of some cancer cells. This complex responds to molecules called growth factors, and...
Read More
In a nutshell This review evaluated the role of pertuzumab (perjeta) as treatment for metastatic HER2+ breast cancer. Some background Relapse rates (the incidence of cancer return) in breast cancer have declined in recent years due to new treatments which specifically target the type of breast cancer a patient has. Permutuzab, for example, is...
Read More
In a nutshell This trial compared treatment with trastuzumab (herceptin) in combination with docetaxel, to a new combination drug called trastuzumab emtansine. Some background Some breast cancer cells have certain receptors on their surface that respond to growth inducing molecules. These cancers are referred to as being human epidermal growth...
Read More
In a nutshell This article evaluated the benefits of continuing trastuzumab treatment after disease progression in patients with HER2+ metastatic (spread to distant organs and tissues) breast cancer. Some background Breast cancer cells have on their surface some proteins called receptors. Hormones bind to these receptors causing changes in the...
Read More
In a nutshell This study evaluated the risk of heart disease associated with two commonly prescribed treatments for breast cancer. The main finding was that Trastuzumab (Herceptin) and Anthracycline (Adriamycin/Daunomycin) treatments are associated with a higher risk of heart failure or ‘cardiomyopathy’. Some background Anthracyclines...
Read More
