STUDY SHOWS NON-ANTHRACYCLINE REGIMENS PLUS HERCEPTIN EFFECTIVE IN BREAST CANCER

A multicenter, Phase III randomized trial has indicated that the non-anthracycline containing chemotherapy regimen utilizing Taxotere (docetaxel) and Paraplatin (carboplatin) appears to provide the same benefit as anthracycline-containing regimens without the cardiotoxicity when used in addition with Herceptin (trastuzumab) for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Although the addition of Herceptin to adjuvant chemotherapy has recently demonstrated improved outcomes for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, the risk of cardiotoxicity with the combination of Herceptin and an anthracycline has remained a concern. The idea that non-anthracycline containing regimens used in combination with Herceptin may reduce the risk of cardiotoxicity while maintaining efficacy of treatment was recently evaluated in a multi-institutional study that included centers from around the world. The trial included 3,222 women with HER2 amplified lymph node positive, or high-risk lymph node negative breast cancer.