Adding Pertuzumab to Trastuzumab and Taxanes in HER2 positive breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The monoclonal antibody trastuzumab has improved the median disease free and overall survival of patients with early stage breast cancer that overexpresses the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Despite this advance, some patients experience cancer relapse and novel approaches are always needed. One such advance is the monoclonal antibody pertuzumab, which prevents dimerisation between members of the HER family of transmembrane glycoprotein receptors.

Areas covered: In this review, the authors analyse recent research which has focused on the development of new HER2 targeting agents for HER2-positive breast cancer, particularly pertuzumab, and its addition to trastuzumab and taxanes.

Expert opinion: Pertuzumab has significantly improved disease control in patients with advanced HER2 positive breast cancer when added to chemotherapy and trastuzumab. Although pertuzumab has also increased response rates in the preoperative setting, this has not yet translated into increased overall survival. The authors believe that future research should focus on improvements in novel biomarkers to select patients for new treatments.

KEYWORDS:

• Pertuzumab
• Trastuzumab
• Taxanes
• Breast Cancer
• Dual HER2 blockade
• Review

Article highlights

• The monoclonal antibody trastuzumab has improved disease free survival and overall survival in patients with breast cancer that overexpresses the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).

• Recently, translational research has focused on the development of new HER2 targeting agents and correlative biomarkers in an attempt to predict which patients are likely to benefit from these approaches.

• One such advance is the monoclonal antibody pertuzumab, which prevents dimerisation between members of the HER family of transmembrane glycoprotein receptors by binding at a separate site from trastuzumab.

• Pertuzumab has significantly improved disease control in patients with advanced HER2 positive breast cancer when added to chemotherapy and trastuzumab.

• Although pertuzumab has also increased response rates in the preoperative setting, this has not yet translated into increased overall survival.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of Interest

PG Morris has received honoraria from Roche and Novartis while JP Gleeson has received honoraria from Astellas and Bristol-Myers Squibb. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript has not been funded.