Researchers have discovered an antibody, T-DM1, that has the potential to shrink or at least stop the growth of advanced HER2 positive breast cancer
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Dr. Ian Krop of the Boston's Dana Farber Cancer Institute Krop and the lead investigator of the T-DM1 study stated, "These are breast cancer patients who do not have a lot options at this point. And what we see with T-DM1 is that it really offers benefit. I'm quite encouraged and I think this drug is significant for patients who really need help.”
Phase II clinical trial of 110 women
The scientists conducted a Phase II clinical trial designed to examine the response to T-DM1 in patients who were running out treatment because their ailment was no longer responding to any medical options.
They enrolled 110 women who had metastatic breast cancer for an average of three years and had previously received seven different cancer-fighting drugs.
The researchers found that T-DM1 shrank tumors by 30 percent or more in 40 percent of the women with confirmed HER2-positive cancers in the trial.
In addition, they noted that in 13 percent of the participants the growth of the tumor was arrested for at least six months.
The new drug was well-tolerated by the patients. The most severe adverse events experienced included lowered platelet count and back pain. Other mild side effects were fatigue and nausea.
The working of the antibody drug T-DMI
According to the researchers, the antibody has the ability to kill breast cancer cells. It works by clinging onto and attacking only breast cancer cells, not the healthy cells in the body, thereby preventing cell division which spreads cancer.
This unique feature of the drug makes it possible to deliver high doses directly to tumor cells to block HER2 receptors.
According to Ian Krop, "The antibody binds to the HER2 protein on tumor cells and delivers the drug (DM1) selectively to them – but not to normal cells. This allows us to deliver high doses of the chemotherapy directly to tumor cells. And at the same time, the antibody continues to block the HER2 growth signals."
Results of the study were presented at the 32nd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in Texas.
Advanced HER2-positive breast cancer
Advanced HER2-positive breast cancer is an aggressive form of the disease which spread to other organs of the body like the lungs, bones, liver and brain. This cancer is less responsive to hormone treatment with the risk of recurrence significantly higher.
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