Dr. Verma on Treatments in the Neoadjuvant Setting of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Sunil Verma, MD, department head, Clinical Department of Oncology, Calgary Zone, medical director, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, discusses the overall treatment paradigm in the neoadjuvant setting of HER2-positive breast cancer.

An important factor to keep in mind when determining treatment for patients in this setting is dose escalation. Oncologists can de-escalate the dose of chemotherapy by administering weekly paclitaxel (Abraxane) and trastuzumab (Herceptin) therapy.

For the future of HER2-positive breast cancer, Verma anticipates a larger focus on stratifying patients based upon the level of chemotherapy their treatment regimen will require, as well as an emphasis on combinations with other novel agents that are currently being investigated.