This study (NCT03501979) investigated the drug combination of tucatinib (Tukysa), trastuzumab (Herceptin), and capecitabine for HER2-positive breast cancer with leptomeningeal metastases (LM). Treatment options for LM are limited, and survival rates are low.
The researchers enrolled 17 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer and newly diagnosed LM. All patients received the drug combination in cycles. The median overall survival was 10 months, which is longer than typically seen with LM. Out of 13 patients eligible for response evaluation, almost 40% achieved an objective response. All 13 patients experienced some level of clinical benefit, including stable disease or improvement in symptoms. Patients with neurological deficits showed improvement in over half of the cases. Quality of life and symptom burden also improved significantly.
This is the first study to show clear benefits of a systemic drug regimen for LM in HER2-positive breast cancer. These findings suggest that such treatments might be a good initial approach for managing LM, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Here, Mina Lobbous, MD, MPH, is an oncologist in the Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center at Cleveland Clinic, discusses this patient population and findings from the study presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.
Transcription:
So leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, as you know, that carry very poor prognosis. And unfortunately, as a group of patients are excluded from most of clinical trials. The the the challenges the CIO leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, it’s carry very poor prognosis or term a few weeks, unfortunately, and this group of patients are excluded from most of clinical trials. So the trial represent the first prospective, first prospective study, that looking into this disease, as you know, like the more the systemic treatment achieve, better, better outcomes, the longer the patients are left, and the more frequent we will see as electroneum Gol, owners, odunsi, leptomeningeal, carcinomatosis, and otherwise, patient that was a good function status and
So the combination of togetherness Capeside have been increased tuza map is effective and patient was lifted meningeal carcinomatosis. From her two positive breast cancer, the median overall survival was approximately 10 months, and we have as a time of the data cut off. So we’re patients who remain alive.
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