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"However, improved drugs directed at existing targets are already providing more
treatment options for metastatic breast cancer. In terms of potential treatments
for metastatic disease, “There is just a whole explosion of drugs out there,” Hope
Rugo, MD, of the University of California a t San Francisco, said in an interview
with CURE.
One of those drugs is trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1). According to data from a
phase II trial presented by Svetislava Vukelja, MD, of Tyler Cancer Center, T-DM1
has anti-tumor activity in patients with previously treated HER2-positive
metastatic breast cancer, including activity in patients who have been pretreated
with trastuzumab or lapatinib.
Rugo was one of the investigators in the trial, and she explained, in an interview
with CURE, that T-DM1 is Herceptin linked to a chemotherapy drug that acts as a
toxin. It works by taking advantage of the fact that the HER2 receptor binds to
Herceptin and brings it into the cell. “So if the Herceptin has a toxin attached to it,
you are delivering the toxic payload straight to the cancer cell. It’s called a
smart-bomb approach.” Rugo said T-DM1 has been so effective in treating
patients whose disease has progressed despite treatment, her team is looking
into the possibility of petitioning the Food and Drug Administration to allow
compassionate use of the drug after it enters phase III trials."
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