Thomas Bachelot, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist at Centre Leon Berard, discusses the role of the combination of tucatinib (Tukysa) plus trastuzumab and capecitabine in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who have central nervous system (CNS) metastases.

 for the treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including those with brain metastases, following at least 1 previous anti–HER2-based regimen in the metastatic setting based on data from the phase 2 HER2CLIMB trial (NCT02614794). The regimen was subsequently 

 in February 2021 for those who previously received at least 2 HER2-targeted regimens. The impact of the combination on the paradigm is significant because of the survival benefit it has demonstrated, Bachelot says.

, the combination was well reviewed, Bachelot notes. Currently, in Europe, the first-line treatment strategy in this patient population consists of trastuzumab (Herceptin) plus pertuzumab (Perjeta), while ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1; Kadcyla) is used in the second line. Now, the tucatinib triplet can be utilized in the third-line setting. The regimen has demonstrated a clear improvement in overall survival, and its approval in Europe is an important development in patient care as it provides yet another treatment option, Bachelot concludes.

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Thomas Bachelot, MD, PhD, discusses the role of the combination of tucatinib plus trastuzumab and capecitabine in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who have central nervous system metastases.

Thomas Bachelot, MD, PhD

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Dr. Bachelot on the Role of Tucatinib in HER2+ Breast Cancer With CNS Metastases