Dr. Hamilton Discusses Tucatinib in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Erika P. Hamilton, MD, director of the Breast and Gynecologic Research Program at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, discusses tucatinib in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Tucatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that only blocks HER2, sparing patients from some of the adverse effects that come with the neratinib (Nerlynx) and lapatinib (Tykerb). This TKI easily crosses the blood-brain barrier, says Hamilton, so it works well in patients with brain metastases.

Currently, tucatinib is being evaluated in randomized trial with capecitabine and trastuzumab (Herceptin) at Sarah Cannon Research Institute.