Dr. Hurvitz on Sequencing Therapeutic Options in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, associate professor, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), medical oncologist, medical director, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center Clinical Research Unit, co-director, Santa Monica-UCLA Outpatient Oncology Practices, anddirector, Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Program, UCLA, discusses sequencing therapeutic options for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. 

The antibody-drug conjugate fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu) is a new standard-of-care approach in the second-line setting of HER2-positive breast cancer, Hurvitzsays. Trastuzumab deruxtecan improved patient outcomes compared with ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla; T-DM1) and is utilized in patients who have progressed on trastuzumab (Herceptin) and taxane regimens, Hurvitz adds.

Moreover, the phase 2 HER2CLIMB (NCT02614794) trial demonstrated that tucatinib (Tukysa) plus capecitabine and trastuzumab showed activity in patients with brain metastases, Hurvitz emphasizes.

Ongoing efforts to expand HER2-targeted treatment options are ongoing, Hurvitz continues. Several novel HER2-targeted agents are currently in development, as well as additional targeted therapy combinations for this patient population, Hurvitz concludes.