title: A pooled analysis of 2618 patients treated with trastuzumab beyond progression for advanced breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In HER2+ MBC, continuing trastuzumab (T) after the progression during a first-line T-based regimen, represents 1 of the possible strategies, even if few data from randomized trials exist in this setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors have performed a systematic review through PubMed, including all prospective and retrospective publications exploring the efficacy of a T-based second-line therapy in HER2+ MBC patients treated beyond progression with a first-line T-containing treatment. Pooled estimates of the RR, TTP, and OS were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 29 studies (4 randomized controlled phase III trials, 2 observational studies, 8 prospective nonrandomized trials, and 15 retrospective case series) were retrieved for a total of 2618 patients. All were treated with a second-line, T-based treatment beyond progression with a first-line T-based chemotherapy. Overall, the median RR, TTP, and OS obtained from the selected articles were 28.7%, 7, and 24 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pooled analysis confirms that continuing T beyond the first progression continues to be 1 of the effective and preferred choices in HER2+ MBC, failing a (T-based) first-line regimen.
authors.affiliation: Azienda Ospedaliera di Treviglio, UO Oncologia medica, Treviglio, Italia. faupe@libero.it
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petrelli
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barni
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068878:Trastuzumab
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068878:Trastuzumab