Trastuzumab (Herceptin) in metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract: report on six patients.
OBJECTIVE
To report our preliminary experience with trastuzumab (Herceptin) in the management of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract.


METHODS
From november 2001 to august 2002, six patients received trastuzumab for metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (n=5) or renal pelvic cancer (n=1). Trastuzumab was administered as a first-line therapy in 2 patients, a second-line therapy in 3, and a third-line therapy in 1. Each patient received a weekly intravenous administration of trastuzumab (initial dose of 4 mg/kg, followed by 2mg/kg for other courses). A total of 6 courses was given. In 4 patients, trastuzumab was administered in association with paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) and carboplatin (area under the curve of 6). One patient received the same combination of trastuzumab and paclitaxel, but without carboplatin. The remaining patient received only trastuzumab.


RESULTS
The trastuzumab-based regimen achieved partial regression of metastases in all patients. Initial regression of metastases varied between 30% and 80%. The therapy was well tolerated. Treatment-related toxicity was moderate in all patients, except for one who experienced transient grade 4 neutropenia. Five patients died from cancer. The interval between trastuzumab initiation and patient death ranged from 8 to 22 months. The remaining patient was still alive 28 months after trastuzumab initiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary data suggest that trastuzumab-based therapy may be safe and effective in metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract. Prospective trials are needed to further investigate this therapeutic option.
Peyromaure
Michaël
M
Department of Urology, Cochin Hospital, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75014 Paris, France. michael.peyromaure@cch.ap.hop-paris.fr
Scotté
Florian
F
Amsellem-Ouazana
Delphine
D
Vieillefond
Annick
A
Oudard
Stéphane
S
Beuzeboc
Philippe
P
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab