By: Ana María Rodríguez, Ph.D. From: bcm.edu Envision this possible future clinical scenario: a breast cancer patient and her physicians are deciding on the best possible treatment. Their decision is informed by a comprehensive molecular profile of the patient’s cancer samples that predicts the most likely response of the cancer to treatment. If the profile predicts a high likelihood of …
Which First-line Tx Combo Is Best for HER2+ Breast Cancer?
By: Richard Mark Kirkner From: medscape.com The combination of trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) with pertuzumab (Perjeta) as a first-line treatment for HER2-positive advanced metastatic breast cancer has been shown to reduce the risk for disease progression or death by more than the current standard-of-care treatment. Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, presented this finding and other …
AI Assistance May Boost Accuracy of HER2-Low Scoring for Breast Cancers
By: Wayne Kuznar, Contributing Writer From: medpagetoday.com Artificial intelligence (AI) assistance appeared to enhance pathologists’ accuracy in identifying HER2-low or -ultralow expression in breast cancer tissue, a global study showed, which could cut down on missed opportunities for effective HER2-targeted therapy. Institution of AI as part of a training program to assist pathologists in HER2 scoring of breast cancer samples …
Study Links PAK5 to Poor Outcomes and Drug Resistance in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
By: Alexandra Gerlach, Associate Editor From: pharmacytimes.com Key Takeaways PAK5 is linked to resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer, correlating with advanced cancer stages and poor outcomes. High PAK5 levels stabilize MALAT1, preventing N-HER2 breakdown and enhancing resistance through a feedback loop. Targeting PAK5 may improve treatment efficacy for patients with limited options after standard therapies fail. Researchers have identified p21-activated …
Novel Adjuvant Strategies Reshape HER2+ Breast Cancer Treatment
By: Jax DiEugenio From: onclive.com Following the publication of the KATHERINE trial (NCT01772472), a number of novel clinical trials have emerged with the use of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), checkpoint inhibitors, and TKIs aimed at further improving outcomes for patients with high-risk, early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, according to Paolo Tarantino, MD. In the second part of an interview with OncLive®, Tarantino …
Development of Novel HER2-Targeted Therapies Could Help Reshape Treatment for HER2+ Breast Cancer
By: Jax DiEugenio From: onclive.com Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd; Enhertu) and other novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) currently under development have represented key change in the treatment landscape for HER2-positive breast cancer, and other novel HER2-targeted therapies could also bring further change to the space, according to Kelly E. McCann, MD, PhD. “We have to think about how can we optimize care …
Systemic Therapies Are Now Preferred in Some Patients With HER2+ Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
By: Silas Inman From: onclive.com The high level of intracranial activity seen with novel HER2-targeted therapies has created a new paradigm that defers local therapy in favor of systemic options to treat small asymptomatic brain metastases in patients with metastatic breast cancer, explained Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, FACP, at the 42nd Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference.1 The newer agents that …
Neoadjuvant Atezolizumab/Trastuzumab/Pertuzumab Is Effective and Safe in HER2+ Early Breast Cancer
By: vAshling Wahner From: .onclive.com Key Takeaways Neoadjuvant atezolizumab with dual HER2 blockade and epirubicin achieved a 60.3% pCR rate in early HER2-positive breast cancer patients. The trial highlighted potential benefits of chemotherapy de-escalation and ICIs, despite mixed results in previous studies. Limitations included small sample size, absence of a non-ICI arm, and lack of long-term outcomes, prompting further research …
Central Nervous System Disease Drives Mortality in HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer Despite Longer Survival
By: Alexandra Gerlach From: .pharmacytimes.com Key Takeaways HER2+ MBC patients with CNS disease have longer overall survival than those with extracranial metastasis. CNS metastases in HER2+ breast cancer remain difficult to treat, requiring local therapies like radiotherapy. CNS progression is a major mortality cause in HER2+ MBC, highlighting the need for CNS-penetrant therapies. Clinical trials should include CNS disease patients …
FDA Accepts BLA for Pertuzumab Biosimilar in HER2+ Breast Cancer
By: Chris Ryan From: onclive.com Key Takeaways HLX11, a pertuzumab biosimilar, is under FDA review for HER2-positive breast cancer treatment, supported by phase 1 and phase 3 trial data. Phase 1 trial confirmed pharmacokinetic equivalence and similar safety profiles between HLX11 and pertuzumab, with no impact from anti-drug antibodies. Phase 3 trial showed HLX11’s efficacy in achieving comparable pathological complete …