TREATING women with breast cancer using the drug Herceptin alongside chemotherapy completely eradicates tumours in almost half of patients without the need for surgery, research revealed yesterday.
Herceptin is currently used after surgery to treat patients with a type of cancer known as HER2-positive.
The new research, announced at a conference in Berlin, suggests that surgery could be avoided in many women using the drug early in combinati
on with chemotherapy.
It also raises the prospect of a cure for this aggressive form of breast cancer.
The research – part of the GeparQuattro study – involved 1,510 women, of whom 453 had HER2-positive breast cancer.
The study found that in women with HER2-positive breast cancer who received Herceptin and standard chemotherapy treatment, 45.5 per cent saw their tumour completely eradicated following several courses of treatment.
Previous studies have shown that only 30 per cent of women have their tumour completely destroyed by chemotherapy on its own.
Herceptin is currently approved for use in suitable patients in Scotland after they have had surgery to help reduce the chances of the cancer returning.
In future, it is possible it could also be used before surgery and if the tumour is eradicated, an operation may not be necessary.
Dr Gunter von Minckwitz, managing director of the German Breast Group, said: "Herceptin delivered on its promise of high tumour eradication when given to women with this aggressive form of breast cancer before their surgery." The researcher, from University Women's Hospital in Frankfurt, said the study was the largest of its kind in women with HER2-positive cancer.
"It shows that Herceptin offers real hope for women with early breast cancer," he added.
Dr Michael Untch, from the Helios Clinics in Berlin, who presented the study findings at the European Breast Cancer Conference, said the results were reassuring, backing up the significant benefits of Herceptin for many women. "Herceptin makes women with this aggressive type of breast cancer feel more confident about their future," he said.
More than 44,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year – more than 100 a day.
HER–2 positive breast cancer accounts for between 20 and 30 per cent of all breast cancer cases.
In these cases, tumours can grow very quickly and there is a high risk that the cancer will return after treatment.
Antonia Dean, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Care, said the results of the study were "encouraging news" for those patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
"We know that Herceptin is an important part of treatment for women who are HER2-positive when given after surgery and chemotherapy. This study indicates that combining Herceptin with chemotherapy does not appear to increase the already known risk of damage to the heart and can improve the chances of shrinking the tumour."
Breakthrough Breast Cancer also welcomed the results of the latest study showing the benefits of Herceptin in women before they have to undergo surgery.
Dr Alexis Willett, policy manager at the charity, said: "Around one in five women diagnosed with breast cancer are HER2-positive. It is important to remember that Herceptin is not suitable for all women with breast cancer. Anyone concerned about their treatment should talk to their doctor."
POSTCODE LOTTERY DRUGHERCEPTIN was one of the first drugs that highlighted problems with postcode prescribing in the UK.
Several women started legal challenges after their health authorities refused to fund treatment with it, even when their doctor said it may help.
But it is not suitable for all breast cancer patients.
It is only effective in women with HER2-positive breast cancer.
This is where increased quantities of the protein HER2 are found on the surface of tumour cells.
Herceptin is designed to target and block the function of HER2, which is produced by a specific gene with the potential to cause cancer.
In Scotland, Herceptin is currently approved for use in patients with breast cancer after they have had surgery and chemotherapy.
It can have some side effects, including effects on the heart which are closely watched during treatment.
