Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
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For multiple reasons, including complexities in anatomy and management, locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHNs) represent a challenging disease for the reporting of end points and the tracking of failures. ⋯ These results support the need to standardize the selection, definition, and reporting of time-to-event end points in clinical trials of locally advanced SCCHN.
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Targeted therapy with the humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab has become a mainstay for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -positive breast cancer (BC). The mechanisms of action of trastuzumab have not been fully elucidated, and data available to date are reviewed here. The impact of the mechanisms of action on clinical benefit also is discussed. ⋯ Trastuzumab is the foundation of care for patients with HER2-positive BC. Emerging data from studies of other targeted agents may provide alternative treatment combinations to maximize the clinical benefit from trastuzumab and prevent or delay resistance. The continued development of trastuzumab highlights promising treatment approaches for the future.
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To determine the incidence, outcomes, and current strategies for management of brain metastases in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. ⋯ The incidence of CNS metastases in trastuzumab-treated patients is similar to that in all patients with HER2-positive disease. Trastuzumab can improve survival in patients with HER2-positive disease with CNS metastases.