her2 once again associated with improved survival in bc patients with brain mets

[Lani]

HER-2 associated with Improved Survival in Patients With Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis


HER-2 status appears to be a strong predictor of survival in patients with brain metastases from breast cancer, according to Boston-based researchers.

In the June 1st issue of Cancer, Dr. April F. Eichler of Massachusetts General Hospital noted that the increased availability of treatment options for women with HER-2-positive tumors has improved survival in metastatic breast cancer. Yet, HER-2 status has not always been taken into account with
established prognostic factors.

To investigate further, the researchers retrospectively studied data from 83 patients with breast cancer and new brain metastasis who were diagnosed between 2001 and 2005.

The median overall survival from the time of brain metastasis was 8.3 months-- survival in HER-2-positive patients was 17.1 months compared with 5.2 months in HER-2-negative patients.

The median survival in patients with triple negative disease was 4.0 months compared to 11.2 months in the other patients.

HER-2 status, as well the number of brain metastases and local disease status were the only independent predictors of survival.

The researchers note that overall survival was modestly improved compared with that of historical controls from the 1980s and 1990s, suggesting an improvement in treatment.

However, the team concludes that better treatments are still needed, as more than half of the patients in their study died of CNS disease progression.

Since herceptin use is far more widespread than it was in 2001-2005, lapatinib is now available as well as increased availability of Cyberknife/Gammaknife, hopefully we are well on the way

Cancer 2008;112:2359-2367.