Dr. Lower on the Impact of Tucatinib on HER2+ Breast Cancer

Elyse Lower, MD, a breast cancer oncologist in the department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, and the medical director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute, discusses the impact of tucatinib (Tukysa) on the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Previously, the idea of having an agent that could be given along with capecitabine and trastuzumab (Herceptin) and result in improved survival seemed far-fetched, Lower says. The reason the concept was hard to believe wasdue patients with brain having been previously associated with poor prognosis, Lower notes. As such, for patients with HER2-positive disease who have brain metastases, tucatinib is now one of the first drugs that is utilized in treatment, Lower explains.

As more data read out, the role of tucatinib will be more well defined for patients with HER2-positive disease, according to Lower. Currently, questions remain as to whether the agent could modify adjuvant treatment, however, tucatinib has been practice-changing addition for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive disease, especially those with brain metastases, Lower concludes.