Dr. Vahdat on Frontline Eribulin Plus Trastuzumab in MBC

Linda T. Vahdat, MD, the director of the Breast Cancer Research Program and head of the Solid Tumor Service at the Weill Cornell Medical College, discusses the combination of eribulin mesylate and trastuzumab as a first-line therapy for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

A phase II trial, known as the 208 Study, was undertaken to examine the safety and efficacy of combining trastuzumab and eribulin in HER2-positive MBC. Combining therapies with trastuzumab has produced promising results, Vahdat notes. She adds that prior to the trial this seemed like a natural combination.

At a planned interim analysis, 40 patients were evaluated. At this point, the objective response rate for the combination was 55% and progression-free survival was 9.2 months. In general, the combination was safe and did not result in any unexpected side effects, Vahdat notes.