title: Brain metastases in metastatic breast cancer patients receiving trastuzumab-based therapies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CNS metastases mean a great challenge. It has been suggested that the brain metastases incidence could be high in metastasic breast cancer patients receiving trastuzumab based-therapies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a descriptive analysis of our experience in this setting. 86 patients met the criteria (From Oct/99 to Oct/03).
  
  
  RESULTS
  CNS progression occurred in 17 patients (19.5%). Mean age of CNS progression disease patients was 45.4 years while mean age for all the patients was 50.5 years. Response rate for the entire group of patients was: OR 39.7%; CB (OR + SD) 69%. Response rate to trastuzumab based-therapy was OR 82.4% and CB 88.2 at the time of CNS progression. Median time from the start of trastuzumab therapy up to the CNS progression was 10 months. OS was 23.4 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of CNS involvement is high in young metastasic breast cancer women responding to trastuzumab-based therapies. This may lead to prophylactic cranial irradiation strategies or to the early detection in asymptomatic patients to improve surgery or radiosurgery results in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain. javierpuen@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puente Vázquez
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: López-Tarruella Cobo
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: García-Sáenz
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casado Herráez
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moreno Antón
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sampedro Gimeno
authors.forename: Coralia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bueno Muiño
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grande Pulido
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martín Jiménez
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Díaz-Rubio
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary*; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D018450:Disease Progression; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D066247:Receptor, ErbB-4; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C587689:ERBB4 protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D066247:Receptor, ErbB-4; D000068878:Trastuzumab