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.

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Linda T. Vahdat, MD, from the Weill Cornell Medical College, discusses the combination of eribulin mesylate and trastuzumab as a first-line therapy for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. 

Dr. Vahdat on Frontline Eribulin Plus Trastuzumab in MBC

Linda T. Vahdat, MD, Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Attending Physician, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, discusses some of the adverse reactions to Halaven (eribulin mesylate), a microtubule inhibitor indicated for patients with metastatic breast cancer who have previously received at least two prior chemotherapeutic regimens.

Vahdat notes that one benefit of Halaven is that it is quick to give, taking only 5 minutes to receive. For patients this means a shorter trip to the doctor and less of a hassle, which is preferred.

The most common adverse reaction was neutropenia, which for all grades appeared in 82% of patients. Severe neutropenia, lasting longer than 1 week, appeared in approximately 12% of cases. Despite its severity Vahdat explains that neutropenia is common in all drugs of this type, noting that while neutropenia is common the appearance of febrile neutropenia is low. Peripheral neuropathy was relatively low when taking Halaven occurring in only 8% of patients. Generally microtubule inhibitors have a higher rate for this event.

The adverse reaction profile for this drug in general makes it favorable from the patient’s perspective and Vahdat states that many patients welcome its addition into their treatment regimens.

Dr. Linda Vahdat, from New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Discusses the Side Effects of Halaven

Dr. Vahdat Discusses the Side Effects of Halaven

Linda T. Vahdat, MD, Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Attending Physician, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, discusses the phase II randomized trial that compared the incidence of peripheral neuropathy between eribulin mesylate (Halaven) and ixabepilone (Ixempra) in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

The study found that the development of any type of neuropathy was similar in both arms of the trial, however the eribulin arm of the trial was 15% less likely to develop peripheral neuropathy. Vahdat remarks that the most striking aspect of the trial was that the ixabepilone arm developed neuropathy sooner than the eribulin arm.

The trial initially sought to discover resolution data for peripheral neuropathy but wasn’t able to complete this goal because of the last-line nature of the patient population.

Dr. Linda Vahdat, from the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Compares Halaven and Ixempra Neuropathy

Linda T. Vahdat, MD

Articles

Dr. Vahdat on Frontline Eribulin Plus Trastuzumab in MBC

Dr. Vahdat Discusses the Side Effects of Halaven

Dr. Vahdat Compares Halaven and Ixempra Neuropathy