Weekly trastuzumab and paclitaxel therapy for metastatic breast cancer with analysis of efficacy by HER2 immunophenotype and gene amplification.

PURPOSE: This phase II study evaluated weekly trastuzumab and paclitaxel therapy in women with HER2-normal and HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Efficacy was correlated with immunohistochemical and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assay results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had bidimensionally measurable metastatic breast cancer. Up to three prior chemotherapy regimens, including prior anthracycline and taxane therapy, were allowed. Trastuzumab 4 mg/kg and paclitaxel 90 mg/m2 were administered on week 1, with trastuzumab 2 mg/kg and paclitaxel 90 mg/m2 administered on subsequent weeks. HER2 status was evaluated using four different immunohistochemical assays and FISH. RESULTS: Patients received a median of 25 weekly infusions (range, one to 85 infusions). Median delivered paclitaxel dose-intensity was 82 mg/m2/wk (range, 52 to 90 mg/m2/wk). The intent-to-treat response rate for all 95 patients enrolled was 56.8% (95% confidence interval, 47% to 67%). A response rate of 61.4% (4.5% complete response, 56.8% partial response) was observed in 88 fully assessable patients. In patients with HER2-overexpressing tumors, overall response rates ranged from 67% to 81% compared with 41% to 46% in patients with HER2-normal expression (ranges reflect the different assay methods used to assess HER2 status). Differences in response rates between patients with HER2-overexpressing tumors and those with normal HER2 expression were statistically significant for all assay methods, with CB11 and TAB250 antibodies and FISH having the strongest significance. Therapy was generally well tolerated, although three patients had serious cardiac complications. CONCLUSION: Weekly trastuzumab and paclitaxel therapy is active in women with metastatic breast cancer. Therapy was relatively well tolerated; however, attention to cardiac function is necessary.     

A phase II study of three-weekly docetaxel and weekly trastuzumab in HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND: To test safety and activity of 3-weekly doses of docetaxel and a weekly dose of trastuzumab in women with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two women, median age 53 years (range 36-73 years), with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer were enrolled in a study of docetaxel, 75 mg/m(2) q3w for 6 cycles, and trastuzumab, 4 mg/kg loading dose, 2 mg/kg weekly thereafter. Thirty-four patients (81%) had visceral metastatic involvement. Thirty-five patients had received prior chemotherapy as part of their treatment: adjuvant/neoadjuvant (26), metastatic (2) and both (7). Thirty-one patients had been previously exposed to an anthracycline and 11 to paclitaxel. Four patients had previously received high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant. RESULTS: 226 cycles (median 6, range 1-6) were administered. The median delivered dose intensity for docetaxel was 24 mg/m(2)/week (range 16-25 mg/m(2)/week). The intent to treat overall response rate was 67% (95% confidence interval, 52-79%). Median progression-free survival, time to treatment failure, and duration of response were 9, 8 and 12 months, respectively. Symptomatic cardiotoxicity (grade 3) occurred in 1 patient. The most common grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia (76% of the patients), although febrile neutropenia did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: Three-weekly doses of docetaxel and a weekly dose of trastuzumab is an active and safe combination in patients with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer.     

Phase II study of weekly paclitaxel and trastuzumab in anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer

Synergism between anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (trastuzumab) and paclitaxel has been shown in vitro and in vivo. In previous experiences, weekly administration of trastuzumab and paclitaxel has shown significant activity in metastatic breast cancer. In this phase II study, we evaluated the activity and the toxicity of this weekly regimen in anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Between November 1999 and July 2001, 25 patients were treated with trastuzumab (4 mg kg(-1) i.v. loading dose followed by 2 mg kg(-1) i.v. week(-1)) and paclitaxel (60-90 mg m(-2) h(-1) i.v. infusion week(-1)). The treatment was planned to continue until disease progression or prohibitive toxicity; in patients with responsive or stable disease, after 6 months of therapy, the decision to stop paclitaxel while continuing weekly trastuzumab was left to the physicians' judgement. At the median follow-up of 19.6 months (range 9.2-38.1), all patients are evaluable for response and toxicity. We obtained four (16%) complete responses (CR), 10 (40%) partial responses (PR), four (16%) stable diseases and seven (28%) disease progressions. The response rate (CR+PR) was 56% (95% CI, 36.5-75.5%). The median duration of response was 10.4 months (range 4.1-24.2+). Median time to progression was 8.6 months (range 2.5-24.2+). The toxicity was mild; five patients experienced fever and chills during the first infusion of trastuzumab (20%); leukopenia grade 2 was recorded in one patient (4%). Two patients (8%) came off study for grade 3 cardiotoxicity (after 9 and 17 weeks of treatment, respectively): both had already received anthracyclines and taxanes. Onycholysis grade 2 was observed in five patients (20%). These results confirm that weekly administration of trastuzumab and paclitaxel is active in anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients HER2-overexpressing. Since cardiac disfunctions grade 3 were observed (8%), we recommend that cardiac function should be monitored in these patients.     

Pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of trastuzumab administered every three weeks in combination with paclitaxel.

PURPOSE: This phase II study evaluated the pharmacokinetics and safety of trastuzumab and paclitaxel given every 3 weeks to women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients received a loading dose of trastuzumab 8 mg/kg intravenously (day 1) and paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 (day 0). Thereafter, trastuzumab 6 mg/kg was administered on the same day as paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for seven cycles. In responding patients, trastuzumab monotherapy every 3 weeks was then continued until disease progression or patient withdrawal. RESULTS: Trastuzumab trough levels were more than 20 mug/mL by the end of cycle 1. The half-life of trastuzumab was estimated to be 18 to 27 days, although this may be an underestimate. The combination of paclitaxel and trastuzumab was generally well tolerated, with no unexpected toxicities and no pharmacokinetic interaction. The most common adverse events were myalgia, paresthesias, alopecia, arthralgia, and fatigue. Events associated with trastuzumab included infusion-related reactions and cardiac dysfunction. Ten patients had a > or = 15% decrease in ejection fraction, but only one had symptomatic heart failure. The investigator-assessed objective response rate was 59% (four complete and 15 partial responses) and seven patients (22%) had stable disease. The median duration of response was 10.5 months and median time to progression was 12.2 months. CONCLUSION: Additional investigation of trastuzumab administered every 3 weeks is warranted. In combination with paclitaxel, it is generally well tolerated. Plasma trastuzumab trough levels and clinical response rates compare favorably with those achieved with the standard weekly trastuzumab regimen plus chemotherapy. The presence of trastuzumab does not alter exposure to paclitaxel.     

A phase II study of weekly vinorelbine and trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab combined with cytotoxic agents presents encouraging results in metastatic breast cancer (MBC), but cardiac toxicity limits some combinations. The synergism shown with trastuzumab and the favorable tolerability profile of vinorelbine provided the rationale for investigating this combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with HER2-positive MBC who had received <2 lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease were included. Vinorelbine (25 mg/m2 on day 2, then weekly on day 1) and trastuzumab (4 mg/kg on day 1, then 2 mg/kg weekly) were administered for a maximum of 6 cycles (1 cycle=3 weeks). RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were enrolled. The median age was 50 years (range, 26-79 years). Ninety percent of the patients had received adjuvant chemotherapy, 42% received a first line of chemotherapy for MBC, and 69% had disease at visceral sites. The overall response rate was 58% (95% CI, 43%-71%). The median time to progression and overall survival were 7 months (95% CI, 5-9 months) and 26 months (95% CI, 20-32 months), respectively. Grade 4 neutropenia was present in 3 courses; neutropenic fever was not reported. The main grade 3 nonhematologic toxicities were asthenia, neuropathy, diarrhea, alopecia, and nausea/vomiting. No patients experienced serious cardiac toxicity. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that weekly vinorelbine/trastuzumab is an active and safe regimen in patients with HER2-positive MBC with an unfavorable prognosis.     

A phase I-II study of combined blockade of the ErbB receptor network with trastuzumab and gefitinib in patients with HER2 (ErbB2)-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE: To determine the safety, and efficacy of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib in combination with trastuzumab in patients with metastatic HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients with HER2-overexpressing breast cancer were treated with trastuzumab 2 mg/kg/week and gefitinib 250 to 500 mg/day. The primary end point of the study was to increase the proportion progression-free from 50% to 65% at 6 months in chemotherapy-naive patients and from 50% to 70% at 3 months in patients previously treated with chemotherapy in the metastatic setting. RESULTS: In the phase I study, all patients treated with gefitinib 500 mg/day developed grade 3 diarrhea. The phase II study was conducted using trastuzumab and gefitinib 250 mg/day. One patient achieved a complete response, 2 had a partial response, and 6 had stable disease for an overall response rate of 9% and a clinical benefit rate of 28% (9 of 32). Median time to progression (TTP) was 3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.3-4.1) in patients with no prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting (n = 23). In patients treated with prior systemic therapy (n = 9), the median TTP of 5.3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.8-8.1). Overall median survival was 27 months. TTP was similar in EGFR-positive compared with EGFR-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Gefitinib 250 mg/day was the maximal dose that can be safely administered with weekly trastuzumab. Interim analysis of the efficacy suggested that the combination was unlikely to result in clinical benefit compared with trastuzumab alone. These results do not support the use of this combination in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.     

Phase II trial of trastuzumab followed by weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To determine the response rate of trastuzumab as first-line therapy in patients with HER-2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. To assess the feasibility and toxicity of weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin with or without trastuzumab following initial treatment with trastuzumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients received trastuzumab (8 mg/kg followed by 4 mg/kg/wk) for 8 weeks. Responding patients received 8 additional weeks of trastuzumab (4 mg/kg/wk), and then proceeded to receive trastuzumab (2 mg/kg) in combination with paclitaxel 70 mg/m(2) and carboplatin (area under the curve, 2) weekly for 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks rest. Stable patients after the initial 8 weeks of trastuzumab proceeded to treatment with trastuzumab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin. Patients with disease progression during the initial 8 weeks had the trastuzumab discontinued and were treated with weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin. RESULTS: Weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin with or without trastuzumab was well tolerated. Fifty-two patients were assessable for response and all 61 patients were assessable for survival. Seventeen (33%) of 52 patients experienced a minor/partial response to single-agent trastuzumab and received 8 additional weeks of single-agent trastuzumab. Fifteen (29%) of 52 patients had stable disease and proceeded to receive paclitaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab. Thirty-one patients with measurable disease were assessable for response after initial single-agent trastuzumab followed by paclitaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab. An overall response rate of 84% (eight complete responses/18 partial responses), median time to progression of 14.2 months, and median overall survival of 32.2 months was reported with the triplet combination. In the patients treated with paclitaxel/carboplatin alone after disease progression on initial single-agent trastuzumab, an overall response rate of 69% (one complete response/10 partial responses), median time to progression of 8.3 months, and median overall survival of 22.2 months was reported. Median time to progression for all 61 patients is 10 months and the median overall survival is 26.7 months. CONCLUSION: This trial confirms the activity and tolerability of weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin alone or in combination with trastuzumab in women with HER-2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.     

Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant trastuzumab combined with paclitaxel and epirubicin: a retrospective review of the M. D. Anderson experience

BACKGROUND: A previously published prospective randomized phase 3 trial showed that administration of 24 weeks of primary systemic chemotherapy (PST) with paclitaxel and FEC(75) (fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) concurrently with trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive primary breast cancer resulted in a 60% pathologic complete response rate (PCR) with no associated severe cardiac toxicity. The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy and safety of a similar regimen outside the setting of a clinical trial. METHODS: Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer (defined as either immunohistochemical 3+ or fluorescence in situ hybridization-positive) that had received 24 weeks of neoadjuvant trastuzumab concurrently with taxane and anthracycline-based chemotherapy between 2004 and 2006 were included in the analysis. PST chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) weekly for 12 weeks followed by 4 cycles of FEC(75) (500 mg/m(2), 75 mg/m(2), and 500 mg/m(2), respectively). RESULTS: Forty patients were identified. The median age was 48 years (range, 29-81). In all, 60% of patients had stage III disease and 4 had inflammatory breast cancer. The PCR rate was 55% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38.5%-70.7%). At a median follow-up of 19 months. 5 patients had a recurrence, of which 4 did not achieve a PCR. No severe cardiac events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Stage II and III HER2-positive breast cancer patients achieved a high rate of PCR with trastuzumab given concurrently with paclitaxel and FEC(75) chemotherapy. No severe cardiac events were observed with the regimen. The data concur with the results of a previously published trial.     

Phase II study of weekly docetaxel alone or in combination with trastuzumab in patients with metastatic breast cancer

This study was designed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of weekly docetaxel in metastatic breast cancer when given alone (for HER2/neu negative disease) or with trastuzumab (for HER2/neu overexpressing disease). Patients with metastatic breast carcinoma received docetaxel given on 2 different schedules (group 1A, 33 mg/m2 weekly [n = 21]; group 1B, 40 mg/m2 weekly for 3 weeks with 1 week off [n = 14]). Patients with HER2/neu overexpressing disease also received trastuzumab 4 mg/kg on day 1, then 2 mg/kg on days 8 and 15 of each 28-day cycle (group 2). Fifty-two patients were treated with docetaxel alone (group 1A/B, n = 35) or in combination with trastuzumab (group 2, n = 17). Prior taxane therapy given every 3 weeks had been used for metastatic disease in 19 of 35 patients (54%) in group 1A/B and in 2 of 17 patients (12%) in group 2. The mean delivered dose intensity of docetaxel was 29 mg/m2 per week. Partial response occurred in 7 of 35 patients (21%; 95% exact binomial confidence interval [CI], 9%-38%) treated with docetaxel alone, including 3 of 19 taxane-pretreated patients (16%) and 4 of 16 taxane-naive patients (25%). Partial response occurred in 10 of 17 patients (59%; 95% CI, 34%-82%) treated with docetaxel/trastuzumab. The most common grade 3/4 toxicities, occurring in more than or equal to 10% of patients, included neutropenia (21%), pulmonary toxicity (12%), and hyperglycemia (10%). The median times to disease progression were 4.5 months (95% CI, 2.5-6.5 months) in the docetaxel group and 8.5 months (95% CI, 4.5-12.5 months) in the docetaxel/trastuzumab group. Weekly docetaxel/trastuzumab is an effective regimen for patients with HER2/neu overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Weekly docetaxel may be effective in as many as 20% of patients who had progressive disease after treatment with taxanes given every 3 weeks.     

Trastuzumab plus vinorelbine or taxane chemotherapy for HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer: the trastuzumab and vinorelbine or taxane study

BACKGROUND: The optimal trastuzumab-based chemotherapy regimen for HER2-overexpressing, metastatic breast cancer is not known. The trastuzumab and vinorelbine or taxane (TRAVIOTA) study was a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial that was designed to compare these regimens. METHODS: Eligible patients had HER2-overexpressing, metastatic breast cancer and had received no prior chemotherapy for advanced disease. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either trastuzumab with weekly vinorelbine therapy or weekly taxane therapy (paclitaxel or docetaxel at the investigator's choice). Originally planned for 250 patients, the study was closed because of poor accrual with 81 evaluable patients, including 41 patients who received vinorelbine and 40 patients who received taxane. RESULTS: Response rates were 51% and 40% for the vinorelbine/trastuzumab arm and the taxane/trastuzumab arm, respectively (Fisher exact test; P = .37). The median time to disease progression was 8.5 months and 6.0 months for the vinorelbine- and taxane-based arms, respectively (log-rank test; P = .09). Treatment with either regimen generally was well tolerated, yielding comparable rates of neurologic and gastrointestinal toxicity. Vinorelbine-based treatment was associated with more anemia and neutropenia and with 2 episodes of cardiotoxicity. Taxane-based therapy was associated with more dermatologic toxicity, myalgias, and fluid retention. CONCLUSIONS: Both vinorelbine/trastuzumab and taxane/trastuzumab treatments were active as first-line therapy for HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer and had comparable rates of efficacy and tolerability. The toxicities observed were the result of recognized side effects associated with each of the chemotherapy agents and schedules. These data can inform treatment decision making in this clinical setting.     

Trastuzumab for the Treatment of Salivary Duct Carcinoma

Objectives.

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with high mortality and poor response to treatment. A significant fraction of SDCs are HER2 positive. This retrospective review examines HER2 testing in SDC and the outcome of trastuzumab-based therapy in adjuvant and palliative settings.

Methods.

A total of 13 patients with SDC and HER2/neu expression by immunohistochemistry of 1–3+ were treated with trastuzumab in adjuvant (n = 8) or palliative (n = 5) setting. Adjuvant therapy consisted of concurrent radiation and chemotherapy with weekly paclitaxel, carboplatin, and trastuzumab (TCH) for 6 weeks followed by TCH for 12 weeks and trastuzumab alone for 1 year. Palliative treatment for metastatic disease consisted of TCH every 3 weeks for 6 cycles followed by trastuzumab for variable time periods with or without second-line chemotherapy for progression. All patients had fluorescence in situ hybridization testing for HER2/neu gene amplification.

Results.

The median duration of follow-up was 27 months (range: 8–48 months). In all, 62% of adjuvant patients (5/8) had no evidence of disease more than 2 years from completion of therapy. All patients with metastatic disease (5/5 patients) responded to treatment with TCH. One patient achieved a complete response and remains with no evidence of disease 52 months after initiation of TCH. The median duration of response was 18 months (range: 8–52 months).

Conclusion.

HER2/neu positivity and treatment with trastuzumab correlated well with long-term survival and response in our patients. Based on this data, we propose that HER2/neu status be examined routinely in all patients with SDCs and the treatment be directed accordingly.     

Weekly paclitaxel (Taxol) with or without trastuzumab (Herceptin) in advanced breast cancer: a community-based observation study

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of weekly paclitaxel therapy in women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in an unselected hospital-based patient population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using a specific search tool we were able to find 49 cases in our department-based database MedicoHelp containing more than 36,000 files. All cases were evaluable. The mean number of involved sites was 2.4 (range 1-4) and 38/49 patients had visceral predominant disease. 44 patients received prior antitumor therapies, 33 patients had received prior anthracycline- and/or taxane-containing chemotherapy. Weekly paclitaxel was given at a mean dose of 80 mg/m(2) (day 1, 8, 15, repeated every 28 days), 38 patients with HER2 overexpression had a combination therapy with trastuzumab (Herceptin). Median treatment duration with paclitaxel was 4.4 months (range 0.25-9 months). A dose reduction was necessary in 5 patients. RESULTS: Therapy was tolerated well, with a 12% incidence of hematologic grade 3/4 toxicity and 22% cumulative nonhematologic grade 3 toxicity (asthenia: 5 patients, mucosa/skin: 3 patients, neurotoxicity: 3 patients). Other toxicities were rare. The overall response rate was 63%. 22% of the patients achieved disease stabilization. Symptom improvement was seen in 73% of patients. The mean time to progression was 6.0 months (range 0.25-23 months). CONCLUSIONS: Weekly paclitaxel (mostly in combination with trastuzumab) is a well-tolerated regimen and had a surprisingly high efficacy in this observation study in heavily pre-treated patients. Symptom improvement was seen in the majority of patients who responded to the treatment.     

Efficacy and safety of combined trastuzumab and paclitaxel therapy as a second-line treatment in women with metastatic Breast Cancer: A single institutional experience

BACKGROUND: In breast cancer, HER-2 overexpression suggests s poor prognosis. Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody with specificity to the HER-2 protein. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of combined trastuzumab and paclitaxel therapy in women with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Combination chemotherapy was given to patients with HER-2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. All patients had previously received one or more chemotherapy treatments. Patients received a loading trastuzumab dose of 4 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.), followed by 2 mg/kg maintenance dose at weekly intervals. A paclitaxel dose of 80 mg/m(2) was administered on the same day as the trastuzumab infusion. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were examined. Seventy percent received two or more prior chemotherapy treatments for metastatic breast cancer, and 66.0% of patients had two or more metastatic sites. The overall response rate to our approach was 37.7%. Median time to progression was 12.0 months. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was seen in only 11.3% of patients. Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 65.1% of patients after seven treatments, requiring us to change to biweekly paclitaxel administration in 16 patients. Most of them were able to continue the treatment. Other toxicities were mild and tolerable. CONCLUSION: Combined trastuzumab and paclitaxel therapy, administered as second-line or later treatment, produced lasting objective responses and was well tolerated by women with HER-2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. A major obstacle to continuing treatment was peripheral neuropathy. However, modifying the interval to every 2 weeks enabled us to continue the treatment. This combination chemotherapy was safely performed in our outpatient clinic.     

Clinical activity of trastuzumab and vinorelbine in women with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To determine the response rate and toxicity profile of trastuzumab administered concurrently with weekly vinorelbine in women with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty women with HER2-positive (+3 by immunohistochemistry, n = 30; +2 or positive, n = 10) breast cancer were enrolled onto a study of trastuzumab (4 mg/kg x 1, 2 mg/kg weekly thereafter) and vinorelbine (25 mg/m2 weekly, with dose adjusted each week for neutrophil count). Eighty-two percent of women had received prior chemotherapy as part of adjuvant (30%), metastatic (25%), or both (28%) treatment, including substantial portions of patients who had previously received either anthracyclines (20%), taxanes (15%), or both types (38%) of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Responses were observed in 30 of 40 patients (overall response rate, 75%, conditional corrected 95% confidence interval, 57% to 89%). The response rate was 84% in patients treated with trastuzumab and vinorelbine as first-line therapy for metastatic disease, and 80% among HER2 +3 positive patients. High response rates were also seen in women treated with second- or third-line therapy, and among patients previously treated with anthracyclines and/or taxanes. Combination therapy was feasible; patients received concurrent trastuzumab and vinorelbine in 93% of treatment weeks. Neutropenia was the only grade 4 toxicity. No patients had symptomatic heart failure. Grade 2 cardiac toxicity was observed in three patients. Prior cumulative doxorubicin dose in excess of 240 mg/m2 and borderline pre-existing cardiac function were associated with grade 2 cardiac toxicity. CONCLUSION: Trastuzumab in combination with vinorelbine is highly active in women with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer and is well tolerated.     

Re-evaluation of HER2 status in metastatic breast cancer and tumor-marker guided therapy with vinorelbine and trastuzumab

BACKGROUND: HER2 is overexpressed in 20-30% of breast cancers. Compared to chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy with trastuzumab improves clinical outcome in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In general, HER2 status in a primary lesion predicts the status of metastases, so that biopsy of metastatic lesions appears unnecessary. CASE REPORT: A 39-year old woman was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in November 2000. Using the method and scoring system of the DAKO Hercep Test, the tumor has shown low HER2 expression (DAKO score 1+). After failure of several chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease (liver, skeletal), the patient underwent CT-guided needle biopsy of the liver which showed HER2 positive adenocarcinoma (DAKO score 3+). In consequence, the patient was treated with vinorelbine (30 mg/m2 d1,8,15 q4w) and trastuzumab (4 mg/kg loading dose, 2 mg/kg weekly). During a treatment period of 4 months imaging results as well as tumor marker kinetics indicated an excellent response with sustained decrease of tumor markers. A retrospective analysis of the HER2 shed antigen in metastatic stage revealed excessively increased serum levels and supports HER2 overexpression observed in liver metastasis. The kinetics of the HER2 shed antigen during therapy for metastatic disease were found to be in phase with the kinetics of CEA and CA15-3. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates that re-evaluation of the HER2 status may be helpful in single patients not sufficiently responding to treatment of metastatic disease. Determination of HER2 overexpression may be facilitated by a determination of the HER2 shed antigen level in peripheral blood.     

不同激素状态的HER2阳性晚期乳腺癌复发转移特征及生存分析

 目的 探讨不同HR状态的HER2阳性晚期乳腺癌患者的复发转移特征、预后及解救曲妥珠单抗治疗疗效的差异。方法 回顾性分析237名HER2阳性晚期乳腺癌患者的临床病理学资料，根据HR状态分为HR+/HER2+组和HR-/HER2+组，对两组间临床病理学特征、复发转移特点、预后及解救曲妥珠单抗治疗疗效进行分析比较。结果 与HR-/HER2+相比，HR+/HER2+多为绝经前患者，临床分期以Ⅰ~Ⅱ期为主，T分期更早，较少发生腋窝淋巴结转移。在总体复发转移部位上HR+/HER2+者更易发生骨转移，较少发生肺转移。HR+/HER2+组中位总生存时间34（5~102）月，HR-/HER2+组为29（3~70）月，两组间差异有统计学意义。接受解救曲妥珠单抗联合化疗的患者，ER<50%者达PR者占68.6%，ER≥50%者占46.2%，差异有统计学意义（P=0.037）。多因素分析结果显示ER状态是HR+/HER2+晚期乳腺癌的独立预后因素；肝转移、解救抗HER2靶向治疗是HR-/HER2+晚期乳腺癌的独立预后因素。结论 与HR-/HER2+患者相比，HR+/HER2+患者多发生骨转移，较少发生肺转移；预后较好；ER阳性细胞数所占比例较高的患者解救曲妥珠单抗治疗疗效较差。     

Vinorelbine plus trastuzumab combination as first-line therapy for HER 2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients: an international phase II trial

The aim of this international phase II trial was to determine the efficacy and safety profile of weekly vinorelbine plus trastuzumab as first-line chemotherapy for women with HER 2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Sixty-nine patients with tumours overexpressing HER 2 received vinorelbine: 30 mg m-2 week-1 and trastuzumab: 4 mg kg-1 on day 1 as a loading dose followed by 2 mg kg-1 week-1 starting on day 8. Sixty-two patients were evaluable for response and 69 patients were evaluable for toxicity. The overall response rate was 62.9%. The median time to response was 8.4 weeks, the median duration of response was 17.5 months, the median progression-free survival was 9.9 months (95% CI, 5.6-12.1) and the one-year progression-free survival was 39.1%. The median survival for all patients was 23.7 months (95% CI, 18.4-32.6). This regimen was safe: grade 3-4 neutropenia were observed over 17.7% of courses in 83.8% of patients, with only two episodes of febrile neutropenia (0.1%) in two patients (2.9%). Only one patient discontinued treatment due to grade 3 symptomatic cardiac dysfunction that resolved with therapy. Vinorelbine plus trastuzumab is one of the most active treatment regimens for patients with HER 2-positive metastatic breast cancer and demonstrates a very favourable safety profile allowing prolonged treatment with long-term survival. This study has been presented in part at the following conferences: The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, TX, USA, 2003; The American Society of Clinical Oncology, Orlando, FL, USA, 2005.     

Efficacy and safety of trastuzumab as a single agent in heavily pretreated patients with HER-2/neu-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein is a unique and useful target for antibody therapy against breast cancers that overexpress the HER-2/neu gene. The recombinant humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, was approved for clinical use in the United States in 1998. It became available in Japan in June 2001. This study focuses on the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab as a single agent in second-third line treatment of HER2/neu-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Between June 2001 and May 2002, we treated 62 patients with trastuzumab, as a single agent or in combination chemotherapy, for second-third line treatment of HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Twenty-seven of 62 patients were treated with trastuzumab as a single agent. We reviewed retrospectively the efficacy and safety of the drug given as a single agent. The expression of HER2 was determined by immunohistochemical staining. All patients received a standard loading dose of 4 mg/kg followed by 2 mg/kg weekly. RESULTS: Patients received a median of 16.7 weekly infusions (range, 1-66 infusions). Trastuzumab therapy was generally well tolerated. Clinically severe adverse events (grade 3 or 4) included hypotension (7.4%), and hypoxia (3.7%). Grade 1 to 2 toxicity included fever (11.1%) and diarrhea (3.7%). Infusion-related reactions were infrequent, as were serious hematologic complications. Cardiotoxicity did not occur in the study. Three patients had a complete and 3 a partial response, 3 had no change, 17 had progressive disease, and one was not evaluated. The overall response rate in the 26 patients with available data was 23.1% (95% confidence interval, 5.7-40.4). The median duration of response was 6.4 months (range, 2.5-14.0). The median time to progression was 3.1 months (range, 0.2-16.7). Response rates differed by metastatic site as follows: lung 0% (0/12), bone 10.0% (1/10), liver 0% (0/8), skin 50.0% (4/8), lymph nodes 42.9% (3/7), brain 0% (0/2). CONCLUSIONS: Molecular target therapy with trastuzumab appears safe and is generally well tolerated. For treatment of metastatic breast cancer, single agent therapy produces a durable response in some patients but lacks sufficient efficacy. Single agent use of trastuzumab is a viable option for treatment in cases with non-life-threatening disease without visceral metastasis.     

Neoadjuvant trastuzumab and docetaxel in breast cancer: preliminary results

Trastuzumab/chemotherapy combinations have already shown superior results in metastatic breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant trastuzumab and docetaxel in women with locally advanced breast cancer, with or without metastatic disease. Treatment-naive women with HER2-overexpressing locally advanced breast cancer, with or without metastatic disease, were included. Patients received trastuzumab 4 mg/kg loading dose intravenously then 2 mg/kg weekly. On day 22, docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 4 cycles was added to weekly trastuzumab. Patients then underwent surgery and subsequent 4 cycles of AC (doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide; 60/600 mg/m2) without trastuzumab. Weekly trastuzumab was resumed 1 month after completion of AC and continued for a year. Preliminary results from the first 22 patients with median follow-up of 15.5 months (range, 2-38 months) are reported. Of these, 9 patients (40.9%) had inflammatory breast cancer, and 6 patients (27.3%) had stage IV breast cancer. Seventeen of 22 patients (77.3%) had objective clinical response, with a clinical complete response in 9 patients (40.9%). Two patients (9.1%) had decline in cardiac function and 7 patients (31.8%) experienced neutropenia, with 2 deaths (9.1%) from neutropenic sepsis. Eight patients (36.4%) have relapsed, 3 with local skin recurrence (13.6%) and 5 with distant recurrence, of whom 1 had liver metastasis (4.5%) and 4 had brain metastasis (18.2%). Combined neoadjuvant trastuzumab and docetaxel induced high clinical response rates for HER2-overexpressing breast cancer, in particular for inflammatory breast cancer. A high rate of brain metastasis was noted, particularly in patients with baseline metastatic disease.     

Preoperative therapy with trastuzumab and paclitaxel followed by sequential adjuvant doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide for HER2 overexpressing stage II or III breast cancer: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy improves outcomes for women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpressing advanced breast cancer. We conducted a pilot study of preoperative trastuzumab and paclitaxel, followed by surgery and adjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in earlier stage breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with HER2-positive (2+ or 3+ by immunohistochemistry) stage II or III breast cancer received preoperative trastuzumab (4 mg/kg x 1, then 2 mg/kg/wk x 11) in combination with paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks x 4). Patients received adjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy following definitive breast surgery. Clinical and pathologic response rates were determined after preoperative therapy. Left ventricular ejection fraction and circulating levels of HER2 extracellular domain were measured serially. RESULTS: Preoperative trastuzumab and paclitaxel achieved clinical response in 75% and complete pathologic response in 18% of the 40 women on study. HER2 3+ tumors were more likely to respond than 2+ tumors (84% v 38%). No unexpected treatment-related noncardiac toxicity was encountered. Four patients developed grade 2 cardiotoxicity (asymptomatic declines in left ventricular ejection fraction). Baseline HER2 extracellular domain was elevated in 24% of patients and declined with preoperative therapy. Immunohistochemical analyses of posttherapy tumor specimens indicated varying patterns of HER2 expression following trastuzumab-based treatment. CONCLUSION: Preoperative trastuzumab and paclitaxel is active against HER2 overexpressing early-stage breast cancer and may be feasible as part of a sequential treatment program including anthracyclines. The observed changes in cardiac function merit further investigation. Correlative analyses of HER2 status may facilitate understanding of tumor response and resistance to targeted therapy.