Summary
A detailed analysis of the phase-III ToGA study revealed an unprecedented survival benefit for patients whose tumours exhibited a particularly high level of HER2 when Roche's Herceptin (trastuzumab) was added to standard chemotherapy (Xeloda or intravenous 5-FU and cisplatin). Based on the significant findings of the ToGA study.
Analysis
This is great news, yet altogether not that surprising. As is briefly alluded to in the article, we know somewhat detailed information about HER2 positivity in breast cancer and the need for modifying chemotherapy should the patient show HER2+
HER2+ breast cancers are typically felt to be more aggressive and have a worse prognosis. Gastric cancers seem to parallel this.
It makes sense, and is equally promising that similar trends are found in gastric cancer patients. The main problem, as is briefly mentioned in the article, is that Gastric cancer is typically diagnosed late in the game (much like ovarian CA).....such that survival is typically poor regardless of the tumor biology. I guess when it comes to cancer, every month survival benefit counts!
Promising!
This author consults with leading institutions through GLG
Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
