It’s dramatically increasing survival chances.
A recent trial has shown that a combination drug therapy involving Kadcyla, already approved for advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, can effectively prevent cancer recurrence in early-stage patients following treatment.
Researchers, led by Dr. Sara Tolaney from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, found that stage 1 breast cancer patients who received Kadcyla remained free of invasive cancer five years post-treatment. This makes Kadcyla a promising treatment option for selected patients, according to Dr. Tolaney.
HER2-positive breast cancers, characterized by excessive HER2 protein that accelerates cell growth, often pose a recurrence risk of 5% to 30% after initial treatment, noted lead researcher Dr. Paolo Tarantino, also from Dana-Farber.
Trastuzumab, an immunotherapy drug, works by blocking HER2 protein, significantly reducing cancer recurrence risk when combined with chemotherapy post-surgery, Dr. Tarantino explained. However, the combined therapy can impact patients’ quality of life due to its side effects.
Kadcyla combines trastuzumab with emtansine, aiming to deliver the benefits of chemotherapy and immunotherapy while minimizing toxic side effects. In a clinical trial involving 512 patients across U.S. cancer centers, 384 received Kadcyla, while 128 underwent chemotherapy alongside trastuzumab.
Five years after treatment, 97% of those who received Kadcyla showed no signs of cancer recurrence. The incidence of toxic side effects was comparable between the Kadcyla group and those receiving separate chemo and trastuzumab treatments. However, patients reported a better quality of life with Kadcyla, experiencing less nerve damage, reduced hair loss, and improved work productivity.
The trial, partly funded by Genentech, the manufacturer of Kadcyla, highlights the drug’s efficacy in preventing cancer recurrence with fewer adverse effects, marking a significant advancement in breast cancer treatment.
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