Dr. Brufsky on Trastuzumab and Eribulin for HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer

Adam M. Brufsky, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, associate chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, discusses the results of a phase II study that looked at the effect of prior trastuzumab on eribulin mesylate in combination with trastuzumab as first-line treatment for HER2-positive locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.

Eribulin has demonstrated a survival advantage in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. In this phase II trial, 52 patients received eribulin and trastuzumab for a median treatment duration of about 30 weeks. Though some patients received prior trastuzumab (n = 21), Brufsky says, objective response rates were high, regardless of treatment with prior trastuzumab (ORR = 62%) or not (ORR = 77%).

Activity has been demonstrated in the first-line, though Brufsky anticipates there will be activity across all lines of therapy.