Dr. Kolberg Discusses the Central Pathology Review of ABP 980

Hans-Christian Kolberg, MD, head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Breast Cancer Center, and Gynecologic Cancer Center at Marienhospital Bottrop, Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Bottrop, Germany, discusses the central pathology review of the trastuzumab (Herceptin) biosimilar ABP 980.

Results from the LILAC study in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer showed an equivalent pathologic complete response (pCR) rate between trastuzumab and the biosimilar ABP 980. According to Kolberg, this is the first neoadjuvant breast cancer study that included a central pathology review. This is very difficult to do, because biopsies and specimens need to be sent around, he explained. Leading up to the central pathology review, there was a lot of questions as to its feasibility, as this trial was conducted at 97 centers in 20 countries in Europe and other regions.

Kolberg says all specimens were able to be successfully brought to the central pathology review. Results proved the biosimilarity between ABP 980 and trastuzumab, as the pCR was within the predefined range. This central pathology review confirmed the primary endpoint of pCR in the breast tissue and axillary lymphoma nodes.