Scientists at LMU have effectively proven a new drug that significantly extends the survival time of individuals with breast cancer. Individuals with late-stage HER2-positive breast cancer often face the recurring issue of brain metastases. These patients face a low chance of living beyond a few years with the treatments available, such as radiation therapy and operative procedures. Through a clinical trial led by an international group, co-chaired by Professor Nadia Harbeck, the head of the Breast Center at LMU University Hospital, a novel drug has been evaluated.
The oncologist states, “Delightful outcomes,” indicating a significant boost in survival durations. So far, the findings suggest a remarkable enhancement in longevity. The outcomes from the study have been documented in the renowned publication Nature Medicine. The field of contemporary medicine categorizes breast cancer into various subtypes based on biological features. Half of patients with advanced breast cancer and the presence of the tissue marker HER2 experience brain metastases, a condition previously difficult to address with medication due to the blood-brain barrier hindering the entry of therapeutic agents into the brain. Hence, there is an immediate need for new medications.
A notable active component is a type of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) known as “trastuzumab deruxtecan.” Trastuzumab is an antibody that, following injection, attaches very specifically to the HER2 protein. Its component is the potent drug deruxtecan, which eliminates cancer cells and is concentrated in tumor cells while being relatively benign in other parts of the body. “That’s the reason we can utilize this component,” clarifies Harbeck. “If it were more toxic, it wouldn’t be suitable for use.”
To assess the advantage of the ADC in treating HER2-positive breast cancer, a LMU oncologist initiated the DESTINY-Breast12 study, serving as one of its lead researchers. The study included more than 500 patients, both with and without brain metastases, from 78 cancer centers across Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and the United States, participating in the research. The outcomes indicated that, on the whole, patients – including those with brain metastases – had a survival rate of over 17 months without the cancer advancing. More than 60 percent of the patients lived for a year without any increase in tumor size. Additionally, the study observed a significant decrease in brain metastases in more than 70 percent of the participants. All patients were still alive one year after beginning treatment. “These results,” commented Nadia Harbeck, “provide a glimmer of hope specifically for patients with brain metastases.” The ADC is already deemed safe for general application.
The oncologist specializing in cancer believes that the ADC shows significant promise in treating breast cancer. A notable instance is a major trial, ADAPT HER2 IV, that has been in progress for the last year, initiated by a group in West Germany. This unique global trial is accessible to individuals with early-stage, non-metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer in Germany. Participants receive the ADC via infusions just four times prior to their operation, making the treatment both easier to administer and more brief. Currently, three ADC therapies are approved for breast cancer in Germany. Harbeck expresses optimism, mentioning that “I think there are many more to come.”