Herceptin works well combined with Chemotherapy

The cancer drug Herceptin (trastuzumab) combined with chemotherapy was more effective in improving event free survival than chemotherapy alone in patients with HER2-positive locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer, a recent study has shown.

Luca Gianni of the National Cancer Institute in Milan, Italy, compared patients with HER2-positive breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and Herceptin combined for one year, with patients treated with chemotherapy alone.  71% of patients treated with the combination of Herceptin and chemotherapy survived for three years without their disease worsening, compared to 56% of patients who were not given Herceptin. 

HER2-positive tumours account for around 20 percent of all breast cancers, but within the locally advanced and inflammatory cases the rate of HER2-positive tumours is much higher, at 35% and 40% respectively. Therefore patients with HER2-positive locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer are in particular need of an effective treatment regime.

Gianna states in the Lancet report The addition of neoadjuvant and adjuvant trastuzumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be considered for women with HER2-positive locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer to improve event-free survival, survival, and clinical and pathological tumour responses.”

Professor Boyages from the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute said “A study such as this is good news for patients in that it gives us information that helps us to plan the most effective course of treatment for each individual patient.” 

A locally advanced breast cancer is an invasive breast cancer that may be large (typically bigger than 5 cm) or may have spread to several lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) or other areas near the breast. Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of invasive breast cancer that affects the blood vessels in the skin of the breast, giving the breast a red and inflamed appearance. 

In Australia, Herceptin was added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in October 2006.