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Targeted anti-HER2 cancer therapy in elderly women diagnosed with breast cancer

M J Molina-Garrido, C Guillen-Ponce, A Mora-Rufete1

  • 1Consulta de Cancer en el Anciano, Seccion de Oncologia Medica, Hospital General Virgen de la Luz in Cuenca, Hermandad Donantes de Sangre Street, Cuenca, Spain. mjmolinagarrido@hotmail.com.

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
|February 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Trastuzumab and lapatinib are standard treatments for HER2-positive breast cancer. This review examines their efficacy and toxicity in older patients, a group often underrepresented in clinical trials.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer is a significant clinical challenge.
  • Standard treatments include trastuzumab or lapatinib combined with chemotherapy or hormonotherapy.
  • Older adult populations are underrepresented in clinical trials for these therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing literature on the efficacy and toxicity of trastuzumab and lapatinib in older patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
  • To address the data gap concerning this specific demographic.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of published articles.
  • Analysis of studies reporting on trastuzumab or lapatinib treatment in elderly patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Main Results:

  • Limited data currently exist on the efficacy and toxicity profiles of trastuzumab and lapatinib in older adults.
  • Further research is needed to establish optimal treatment strategies for this population.

Conclusions:

  • Older patients with HER2-positive breast cancer require specific consideration regarding treatment efficacy and toxicity.
  • Evidence-based guidelines are needed to optimize care for elderly individuals receiving trastuzumab or lapatinib therapy.

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