For HER2+ Breast Cancer, a Potential New Treatment Course

Women with HER2+, a protein found on some women's breast cancer cells, may have a new course of treatment, according to a new study.

Women given a combination of lapatinib and trastuzumab saw their tumors shrink significantly, a new study found. These targeted drugs were given 11 days after diagnosis and before surgery.

"Potentially, giving treatment while waiting for surgery can identify a group of patients whose disease is particularly sensitive to anti-HER2 therapy, which would allow individualization of therapy in women with HER2 positive cancers," said Dr. Nigel Bundred, in a press release.

Dr. Bundred and team evaluated 258 women with HER2+ breast cancer. Further testing is warranted to confirm these results.

Dr. Bundred, professor of surgical oncology at the University of Manchester and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UK), presented these study findings at the 10th European Breast Cancer Conference. Research presented at conferences may not have been peer-reviewed.

One researcher received a grant from the Institute of Cancer Research. Some of the researchers either served on the advisory boards or had provided training for some manufacturers of Tykerb (lapatinib) and Herceptin (trastuzumab).