Dr. Valdes-Albini Discusses Trials in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Frances Valdes-Albini, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Health System, discusses ongoing clinical trials of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

The HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate DS-8201 (trastuzumab deruxtecan) has demonstrated significant clinical activity in patients with HER2-expressing metastatic breast cancer who have previously received ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1; Kadcyla). Valdes-Albini says that DS-8201 looks promising, and may offer an option for patients with low HER2-expressing tumors.

Additionally, Valdes-Albini believes that immunotherapy should be further explored in patients with HER2-postiive breast cancer. There have been some studies, but further clinical trials will be needed to establish the benefit of immunotherapy agents in HER2-positive cancer, Valdes-Albini says.

Anti-HER2 therapy is being explored with signaling pathway inhibitors. Several studies in the advanced setting are ongoing, and a few have closed. Valdes-Albini says that those data are eagerly awaited.