Herceptin Plus Chemotherapy Benefits Some Women with Advanced Breast Cancer
Importance of the study: Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) is an antibody, a special immune protein, that targets products of the HER2/neu oncogene. It is often used as a treatment for women with metastatic breast cancer that overexpresses the HER2/neu oncogene. This study helps answer questions about the safety and effectiveness of adding Herceptin to a chemotherapy regimen.Study design: In a study conducted at several institutions throughout the country, 234 women received standard chemotherapy alone and 235 women received standard chemotherapy along with Herceptin. Those who had previously received Adriamycin (chemical name: doxorubicin) chemotherapy received either Taxol (chemical name: paclitaxel) or Taxol with Herceptin as their chemotherapy regimen. Those who hadn't had Adriamycin before, now received Adriamycin (or a similar drug called epirubicin) and Cytoxan (chemical name: cyclophosphamide), either alone or with Herceptin. Study results: Herceptin combined with chemotherapy controlled the cancer longer (almost 3 months more) and improved survival (about an additional 5 months) compared to the outcome for women in the chemotherapy-only groups. This added benefit, however, was associated with an increased risk of heart-related side effects. Twenty-seven percent of the women receiving Adriamycin PLUS Herceptin had problems, while just 8% of those receiving Adriamycin alone, 13% of those receiving Taxol PLUS Herceptin, and 1% of those receiving Taxol alone experienced heart problems. The problems varied from mild to severe, but for the most part, the symptoms substantially improved with standard medical care. Take-home message: Herceptin adds significant benefit to the treatment regimen typically prescribed for women with metastatic disease that overexpresses HER2/neu. Herceptin is not recommended at the same time as Adriamycin, however, because of significant heart side effects. (Herceptin may, however, be given after the Adriamycin regimen is complete.) Combining Taxol with Herceptin resulted in fewer heart problems and therefore is the regimen is one of several that may be recommended for this group of women. |
