Efficacy and safety of trastuzumab-based therapy in combination with different chemotherapeutic regimens in advanced esophagogastric cancer--a single cancer-center experience.

Abstract

Trastuzumab-based therapy has significantly changed the management of Her-2 positive metastatic esophagogastric cancer. However, only limited experience exists for the management in patients who are not suitable for cisplatin-based therapy. Patients treated with trastuzumab in combination with different chemotherapeutic regimens were analyzed. Response rates, progression-free survival, overall survival, patterns of cardiac toxicity and patterns of maintenance strategies were recorded. The response rates, progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic esophagogastric cancer treated with trastuzumab and different chemotherapeutic regimens compared well with the data published in the TOGA trial. No unexpected toxicity occurred. Different strategies were used for therapy de-escalation. Trastuzumab-based therapy is effective in combination with several chemotherapeutic regimens with a safe toxicity pattern. The optimal maintenance strategy remains to be defined.