Video

Dr. Strickler on the Exploration of Frontline Tucatinib/Trastuzumab in HER2+ CRC

John H. Strickler, MD, discusses the investigation of frontline tucatinib plus trastuzumab in HER2-positive colorectal cancer.

John H. Strickler, MD, medical oncologist, Duke Cancer Center, Duke Health, discusses the investigation of frontline tucatinib (Tukysa) plus trastuzumab (Herceptin) in HER2-positive colorectal cancer (CRC).

Data from the phase 2 MOUNTAINEER trial (NCT03043313) showed that tucatinib plus trastuzumab elicited clinically meaningful and durable responses in patients with previously treated metastatic HER2-positive CRC. Now investigators want to explore whether this combination be a viable first-line option for this patient population, Strickler explains.

The ongoing phase 3 MOUNTAINEER-03 trial (NCT05253651) is exploring the combination of tucatinib and trastuzumab plus modified fluoropyrimidine, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) vs standard of care as a frontline treatment for patients with HER2-positive CRC, Strickler says.

Other ongoing trials are examining anti-HER2 regimens vs anti-EGFR regimens in the second-line setting and beyond to investigate if there is still a role for anti-EGFR therapies in patients with HER2-positive CRC, Strickler adds. Preclinical data have suggested that HER2 expression drives resistance to anti-EGFR therapy, though this has yet to be seen in a prospective, randomized trial, Strickler concludes.

Related Videos
Andrew Ip, MD
Mansi R. Shah, MD
Elizabeth Buchbinder, MD
Benjamin Garmezy, MD, assistant director, Genitourinary Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute
Alec Watson, MD
Sagar D. Sardesai, MBBS
Ashkan Emadi, MD, PhD
Matthew J. Baker, PhD
Manmeet Ahluwalia, MD, MBA, FASCO
John Mascarenhas, MD