A new drug combination could be the cure for a type of breast cancer: researchers claim that it shrinks and even destroys an aggressive form of breast cancer in less than two weeks.
Trastuzumab (better known by the brand name Herceptin) and lapatinib, caused HER2-positive ( a form of breast cancer that is more likely to recur after treatment than other types) tumors to quickly reduce in size in a quarter of 66 patients who received the treatment. In some cases, disappearing completely in just 11 days.
The researchers were not even trying to shrink tumors, but were trying to figure out if there were any benefits to giving women drugs between diagnosis and surgical removal. These results, reported at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Amsterdam by Professor Nigel Bundred, from the University of Manchester and the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, have not yet been peer-reviewed.
“This has groundbreaking potential because it allows us to identify a group of patients who, within 11 days, have had their tumors disappear with anti-HER2 therapy alone and who potentially may not require subsequent chemotherapy. This offers the opportunity to tailor treatment for each individual woman,” he said.
Samia al Qadhi, chief executive at Breast Cancer Care noted that the findings could mean less onerous treatments for certain women.
“The astonishing findings in this study show that combining these two drugs has the potential to shrink HER2 positive breast cancer in just 11 days. For some HER2 positive breast cancer patients the effect of this drug combination will be amazing and mean they can avoid chemotherapy and its gruelling side effects completely. For others, their tumours may not shrink, but doctors will know either way very quickly, giving them the ability to rapidly decide on further treatment.
“Although an early study, this has game changing potential. Yet before this can be made available we need to see more evidence. Particularly because, at present, trastuzumab’s (Herceptin) licensing means it is only available to be used alongside chemotherapy and not alone. All cancer patients deserve access to clinically effective treatments.”
Women in the study were at first randomly given either trastuzamab, lapatinib or no treatment at all. However, when researchers received news from other studies, which showed how effective the two drugs are when used in concert, some were given both.
“It was unexpected to see quite such dramatic responses to the trastuzumab and lapatinib within 11 days. Our results are a strong foundation on which to build further trials of combination anti-HER2 therapies prior to surgery – which could reduce the number of women who require subsequent chemotherapy, which is also very effective but can lead to long-term side effects,” said trial co-leader Prof Judith Bliss. She is also the director of the clinical trials and statistics unit at the Institute of Cancer Research, London.
However, Bliss noted that it was early days yet and that the drugs might not have the intended long-term effect. “We would have to be very clear we’re not taking a backwards step and increasing the risk of relapse,” she added.
There is reason to be optimistic, however.
“These results are very promising if they stand up in the long run and could be the starting step of finding a new way to treat HER2 positive breast cancers…This could mean some women can avoid chemotherapy after their surgery – sparing them the side-effects and giving them a better quality of life.”
Sources: The Guardian Huff Post Fox News Science Alert
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