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Abstract
The discovery of HER2 gene amplification and protein overexpression in approximately 15–20% of breast cancers and access to the tailored humanized antibody, trastuzumab (Herceptin®), have heralded a new era in breast cancer therapy. Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy has caused marked tumor responses and increased overall survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer, and has also increased survival in the adjuvant setting after radical surgery. However, due to many causes, trastuzumab resistance usually occurs during treatment. In this event, possible options include the replacement of trastuzumab with lapatinib, the continuation of trastuzumab after disease progression with changed chemotherapy and the suspension of the use of targeted agents. New-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which have a broader target, are now considered the key to treatment for breast cancer.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Alba Brandes is on the advisory board for Bristol-Myers Squibb, OncoMethylome Sciences, Roche and Schering-Plough, and has received honoraria from GlaxoSmithKline, Roche and Schering-Plough. Alicia Tosoni has received honoraria from Merck Sharp & Dohme. Roberta Degli Esposti has received honoraria from Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline. 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.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.