Overcoming treatment challenges in advanced breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To describe new clinical findings, efficacy, and safety regarding the use of targeted agents in the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.


METHODS
Published research articles, abstracts, and clinical experience.


CONCLUSIONS
HER2-positive cases of breast cancer tend to be more aggressive and more likely to become resistant to therapy than HER2-negative tumors. The current standard approach to patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer includes the use of trastuzumab. Because cellular mechanisms can arise that can block the efficacy of this approach (and result in clinical resistance), recent research has led to the development of lapatinib, a targeted therapy that can act on HER2 inside the cell to disrupt the signaling pathways thought to be part of tumorigenic mechanisms.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology nurses should be aware of the treatment strategies for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and its limitations, which is essential for providing optimal nursing care.
Protocol Development & Management, National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project NSABP, Pittsburg, PA 15212-5234, USA. barbara.harkins@nsabp.org
Barbara
B
Harkins
Charles E
CE
Geyer
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077341:Lapatinib; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000077341:Lapatinib; D011799:Quinazolines; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab