title: Improving the efficacy of trastuzumab in breast cancer.
abstract: Although overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein, amplification of the gene or both are associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer, trastuzumab has clearly provided clinical benefits in metastatic breast cancer, adjuvant treatment settings and primary systemic therapy. However, even in those HER2 overexpressors, the majority of patients who achieve an initial response generally acquire resistance within 1 year. Therefore, it is critical to elucidate the mechanism of resistance and to search for better combination treatments with chemotherapeutic agents or other novel modalities. Here, we discuss both clinical and preclinical data regarding these issues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital, Tokyo 113-8677, Japan.
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toi
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D000068878:Trastuzumab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab