Brain metastases in metastatic breast cancer patients receiving trastuzumab-based therapies.
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.
Puente Vázquez
Javier
J
Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain. javierpuen@hotmail.com
López-Tarruella Cobo
Sara
S
García-Sáenz
José A
JA
Casado Herráez
Antonio
A
Moreno Antón
Fernando
F
Sampedro Gimeno
Teresa
T
Bueno Muiño
Coralia
C
Grande Pulido
Enrique
E
Martín Jiménez
Miguel
M
Díaz-Rubio
Eduardo
E
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
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