Herceptin as a single agent in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospectively study was to assess the clinical efficacy and toxicity of Herceptin as a single agent in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).


METHODS
We retrospectively included and analyzed 31 metastasis breast cancer patients in our patient database. All of the included 31 patients were pathology confirmed of breast carcinoma with remote metastases and treated with Herceptin as a single agent. The clinical efficacy and drug-related toxicity were analyzed.


RESULTS
No complete response patients were observed for 31 cases. And 8 (26%) reached partial response 16 (52%) with stable disease. The objective response rate of the 31 patients was 23%. We further divided the 31 cases into three subgroups according to the treatment modality. The objective response rate was 36%, 14%, and 17% for the first-line, second-line, and third-line treatment modality, respectively. The objective response rate was not statistical different among the three subgroups (P > 0.05). The main drug-related adverse event were asthenia, chills, diarrhea, nausea, hypotension and dizziness with their incidence of 68%, 26%, 13%, 10%, 10%, and 6%, respectively, for each patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Herceptin as a single agent was effective and safe in the treatment of patients with MBC.
Mingliang
M
Zhang
Wei
W
Guo
Jun
J
Qian
Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province 230032, China.
Benzhong
B
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068878:Trastuzumab / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068878:Trastuzumab