Pertuzumab: new hope for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer
Annals of Oncology, 08/31/2012
Clinical Article
Capelan M et al. – The pertuzumab and trastuzumab anti–Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) dual blockade is likely to represent a substantial advance for patients with HER2–positive breast cancers (BCs) and a new milestone on the way to personalized medicine.
Methods
- A computer-based literature search was carried out using PubMed (keywords: breast neoplasm, dimerization, HER-2, pertuzumab); data reported at international meetings are included.
Results
- This paper describes pertuzumab's mechanism of action, safety, and role in HER2-positive BCs.
- It also explores the role of pertuzumab as a single agent or combined with trastuzumab by reviewing data from preclinical research to ongoing clinical trials.
- Recently published trials, particularly the CLEOPATRA study, highlight the efficacy, tolerability, and increase in disease-free survival associated with this novel agent when combined with trastuzumab.
