Breast Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Breast Cancer, including details on symptoms, genetics, screening, treatment, information.

Trastuzumab and antiestrogen therapy: focus on mechanisms of action and resistance.

Ocaña A, Cruz JJ, Pandiella A

Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. aocana@vhebron.net

OBJECTIVE: In breast cancer, 2 molecular targets are well established (ER/PR and HER2), and therapies directed to these proteins have demonstrated to be clinically useful. METHODS: Despite the presence of the ER and PR, only half of the patients will respond to endocrine therapy, and less than 35% of patients with ErbB2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer will respond to trastuzumab as a single agent. RESULTS: To improve survival of metastatic breast cancer patients with ER/PR positive and HER2 positive is critical to elucidate the mechanism of resistance or sensitivity of these tumors for a better selection depending on biologic molecular alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Recently, several studies addressing this issue have been reported. Here, we will focus on a comprehensive review of the currently available data.

Published 7 February 2006 in Am J Clin Oncol, 29(1): 90-5.
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