Vol 5, No 5 (2009)
Review paper
Published online: 2009-12-01
Continuing trastuzumab beyond progression in breast cancer patients - pros and cons
Onkol. Prak. Klin 2009;5(5):189-197.
Abstract
Anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab is currently regarded as a standard therapy for patients with
HER2-positive breast cancer. This drug is used in adjuvant treatment as well as in metastatic breast cancer.
In palliative treatment, trastuzumab is effective both in monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy.
However, there is no standard therapeutic strategy for patients who have progressed after therapy
with trastuzumab. It is strongly believed that continuing trastuzumab beyond progression is beneficial
for patients. This opinion results from complex mechanism of the drug action and unknown way of drug
resistance emergence. This paper is a short review of current literature concerning treatment strategy for
patients with progression during trastuzumab-based therapy. Analyzed strategies are: continuing trastuzumab
beyond progression with replacement of combined cytotoxic drug, stopping trastuzumab and
starting consecutive chemotherapy, and starting treatment with lapatinib - oral inhibitor of epidermal
growth factor receptor and HER2.
Keywords: trastuzumabHER2lapatinib
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