title: The role of trastuzumab in the management of salivary ductal carcinomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Salivary ductal carcinoma (SDC) is a high-grade malignancy, and molecular studies show frequent overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). We reviewed our experience with molecular-targeted therapy using trastuzumab for patients with HER2-positive SDC.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of all patients treated with trastuzumab for HER2-tested SDC at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1997 and 2011 were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients with SDC overexpressing HER2 were treated with trastuzumab as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy. Ten of these had 3+ immunohistochemistry or HER2 gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Patients underwent therapy in the surgical adjuvant setting (n=2), as a component of combined therapy for advanced disease (n=8), or as single therapy near end of life (n=3). Treatment efficacy via radiographic review for response could not be assessed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Trastuzumab should undergo prospective therapeutic clinical trials, in SDC which will likely require international cooperation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Perissinotti
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lee Pierce
authors.forename: Makala B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Naggar
authors.forename: Merrill S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kies
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kupferman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044584:Carcinoma, Ductal / Q000188:drug therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000068878:Trastuzumab
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human
keywords: HER2/neu; Salivary ductal carcinoma; molecular-targeted therapy; trastuzumab