Dr. Lower on the Importance of Tucatinib Plus Capecitabine/Trastuzumab in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Elyse Lower, MD, a breast cancer oncologist in the department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, and the medical director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute, discusses the importance of tucatinib (Tukysa) in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

The phase 2 HER2CLIMB study (NCT02614794), which examined tucatinib (Tukysa) vs placebo in combination with capecitabine and trastuzumab (Herceptin) in patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, is one of the most important studies to recently read out, according to Lower. Approximately half of the HER2-positive patient population will develop brain metastases, she explains. Due to this, data from the trial regarding reduction in brain metastases, as well as the survival benefit, were practice changing, Lower says.

It is gratifying to see several new agents available for patients with HER2-positive disease, Lower notes. The combination of tucatinib plus capecitabine and trastuzumab could have a large impact on patients with brain metastases, Lower concludes.