Abstract

TOMADONI, Adriana; LOMBARDO, Diana  and  WAINSTEIN, Raúl. Trastuzumab in the treatment of advanced breast cancer: Our single-center experience and spotlights of the latest national consensus meeting. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2004, vol.64, n.1, pp.20-24. ISSN 0025-7680.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER 2) is amplified in 25 to 30% of breast cancer patients and those whose tumors demonstrate HER 2 gene amplification and protein overexpression have an inferior prognosis manifested by shorter disease-free and overall survival. Trastuzumab, the humanized murine anti-HER 2 monoclonal antibody, inhibits tumor growth when used alone and has synergistic and additive effects when used with chemotherapeutic agents (paclitacel-doxorrubicine). At the present time, the accurate diagnostic assessment of HER 2 is essential for appropriate application of the humanized anti HER 2 monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer.FDA has approved its use for patients with metastatic breast cancer with HER 2 over-expression since 1998, as a first line treatment in association with paclitaxel or as a second or third line monotherapy. In Argentina, two Consensus Meetings of HER 2 Diagnosis have taken place: the first one on May 15th, 2002 and the second on April 11^th, 2003, supported by Roche Laboratories (Herceptin^®). In this paper, some topics of these meetings are reviewed. Our single-public center experience is discussed.

Keywords : trastuzumab; breast cancer; Her 2; diagnosis.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )