A study published in the March issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology indicated that breast cancer patients who have HER2/neu gene, but have failed Herceptin therapy, can now receive Tykerb, in addition to their Hercpetin, to improve their length of time without disease.
The study randomized 296 patients with HER2/neu -positive metastatic breast cancer who have failed Herceptin-containing regimens to receive either Tykerb or Herceptin plus Tyerb. The results indicated that patients who received Herceptin plus Tykerb were superior to Tykerb alone in extending the length of time without disease worsening. Although the combination regimen did not significantly improve overall survival, there was a trend in favor of the combination regimen.
The most common adverse effects for the combination regimen were diarrhea, rash, nausea and fatigue.
The results allowHER2-Positive metastatic breast cancer patients who have failed Herceptin to have another treatment option before starting chemotherapy.
Blackwell K. J Clin. Oncol 29: 1124-1130.
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