An overview of HER-targeted therapy with lapatinib in breast cancer
1Breast Cancer Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY, 10065, USA. mcarthuh@mskcc.org
Abstract:
Breast cancer is a global public health burden with more than one million new diagnoses worldwide each year. As a significant proportion of women with early-stage breast cancer experience a relapse and metastatic breast cancer is generally incurable, therapeutic innovations are ongoing. One notable innovation in recent decades has been the identification of a subset of breast cancers that overexpress the transmembrane glycoprotein human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and the consequent development of HER2-targeted therapy. Given the significant benefits demonstrated with the HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, in the adjuvant and metastatic settings, investigators have endeavored to develop novel mechanisms for disrupting HER2-mediated signaling. Lapatinib, an orally available HER1- and HER2-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, represents one such notable innovation. Lapatinib is currently being evaluated in both the adjuvant and metastatic settings and was recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in combination with capecitabine, for the treatment of women with HER2-positive, pretreated, metastatic breast cancer. However, the ideal strategy for incorporating novel HER2-targeted agents, including lapatinib, into existing management paradigms is uncertain.
Insights
Breast cancer impacts over a million women globally each year. New therapies like lapatinib target human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, but optimal integration into treatment plans remains unclear.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Breast cancer is a significant global health issue with over a million new cases annually.
- Relapse and incurability of metastatic disease drive the need for innovative therapies.
- The identification of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing breast cancers has led to targeted treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review innovations in HER2-targeted therapy for breast cancer.
- To discuss the role of lapatinib, a novel HER1- and HER2-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in breast cancer treatment.
- To address the uncertainty surrounding the integration of new HER2-targeted agents into current breast cancer management.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advancements in HER2-targeted breast cancer therapies.
- Discussion of lapatinib's mechanism of action and clinical evaluation.
- Analysis of the current landscape of HER2-positive breast cancer treatment paradigms.
Main Results:
- Trastuzumab, a HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody, has shown significant benefits in adjuvant and metastatic settings.
- Lapatinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, targets both HER1 and HER2.
- Lapatinib is approved in combination with capecitabine for pretreated, metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer.
Conclusions:
- Novel HER2-targeted agents like lapatinib offer new therapeutic options for breast cancer.
- Further research is needed to determine the optimal integration of lapatinib and similar agents into existing breast cancer treatment protocols.
- The evolving landscape of HER2-targeted therapy requires careful consideration for effective patient management.
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