herecptin vs Lapatinib

[Rich]

"Data presented at the conference suggests that GlaxoSmithKline’s investigational drug Lapatinib could one day give Herceptin a run for its money in the breast cancer market.
“We believe that GlaxoSmithKline’s phase II/III efforts with Lapatinib are now set up to potentially ‘take down’ Herceptin in the first-line and adjuvant breast cancer settings over the next few years,” wrote Mr. Holford and colleagues.
Early analysis showed Lapatinib caused a response in 35 to 70 percent of patients. This compares very well against the 20 to 30 percent response rates historically seen for Herceptin in the same setting."

http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=1...+to+Cancer+Data (http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=12099&hed=Tepid+Reaction+to+Cancer+Data)

[Cindi]

Rich,

I am a bit confused. Your subject title says (mets), but the text of your information applies to first line and adjuvant settings. Do you mention mets, because the Phase II/III trials were done with BC patients who had mets?

Maybe you don't know the actual answer to this. But, it all sounds very promising.

Thanks,

Cindi

[Think Pink]

I just thought I'd add my two cents. Yes, I'm sure he meant for women who have had mets because I am currently in one of the Lapatibib trials for Glaxco and the major qualification for the study is for you to have had mets already.

[Esther]

So am I reading this right? This means percentage wise, twice the number would respond to Lapitinib than the percentage to whom get herceptin respond to herceptin?

So...this does not necessarily mean it will work better than Herceptin, just that even if you do not respond to herceptin, perhaps you will respond to lapitinib.

Or am I missing something here.