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HER2CLIMB Study Shows Benefits of Triple Therapy for HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer with Brain Metastases

A study from ASCO 2020 showed adding tucatinib to trastuzumab and capecitabine significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with HER2+ breast cancer with brain metastases.  

After initial findings from the HER2CLIMB trial showed improvements in PFS and OS, researchers including Nancy U. Lin, MD, from Harvard Medical School, focused on the results of 291 patients who had brain metastases at baseline.  

Dr Lin told MD/Alert this was a unique approach as many trials exclude patients who have brain metastases at baseline.    

The results showed a 68% reduction in the risk of CNS progression-free survival for patients treated with tucatinib, with a median CNS PFS of 9.9 months compared to 4.2 months in the control arm.  

Overall, the risk of death was reduced by 42%, with a median OS of 18.1 months compared to 12 months in the control arm. 

“From the patient perspective, they are able to live without worsening of their brain metastases for a longer period without needing to get additional treatment for their brain metastases for a longer period of time. Obviously, when patients develop progression of their brain metastases that can be quite symptomatic and affect quality of life,” Dr Lin said.  

She described the six-month improvement in median OS as being “quite remarkable,” especially considering most trials do not consider treating this particular patient population.  


By Adam Hochron 
 

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