Elyse Lower, MD, a breast cancer oncologist in the department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, and the medical director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute, discusses the importance of tucatinib (Tukysa) in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

The phase 2 HER2CLIMB study (NCT02614794), which examined tucatinib (Tukysa) vs placebo in combination with capecitabine and trastuzumab (Herceptin) in patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, is one of the most important studies to recently read out, according to Lower. Approximately half of the HER2-positive patient population will develop brain metastases, she explains. Due to this, data from the trial regarding reduction in brain metastases, as well as the survival benefit, were practice changing, Lower says.

It is gratifying to see several new agents available for patients with HER2-positive disease, Lower notes. The combination of tucatinib plus capecitabine and trastuzumab could have a large impact on patients with brain metastases, Lower concludes.

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Elyse Lower, MD, discusses the importance of tucatinib in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.


Dr. Lower on the Importance of Tucatinib Plus Capecitabine/Trastuzumab in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Elyse Lower, MD, a breast cancer oncologist in the department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, and the medical director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute, discusses the impact of tucatinib (Tukysa) on the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Previously, the idea of having an agent that could be given along with capecitabine and trastuzumab (Herceptin) and result in improved survival seemed far-fetched, Lower says. The reason the concept was hard to believe wasdue patients with brain having been previously associated with poor prognosis, Lower notes. As such, for patients with HER2-positive disease who have brain metastases, tucatinib is now one of the first drugs that is utilized in treatment, Lower explains.

As more data read out, the role of tucatinib will be more well defined for patients with HER2-positive disease, according to Lower. Currently, questions remain as to whether the agent could modify adjuvant treatment, however, tucatinib has been practice-changing addition for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive disease, especially those with brain metastases, Lower concludes.

Elyse Lower, MD, discusses the impact of tucatinib on the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.


Elyse Lower, MD

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Dr. Lower on the Importance of Tucatinib Plus Capecitabine/Trastuzumab in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Dr. Lower on the Impact of Tucatinib on HER2+ Breast Cancer