Trastuzumab beyond progression in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Abstract

Background: The data about continuing trastuzumab treatment beyond progression in HER2-positive breast cancer are lacking in Iraq. This study aimed for investigating the use of trastuzumab in Iraqi women with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Methods: A single-arm non-comparative observational prospective study was conducted in Oncology Teaching Hospital between 2013 and 2019. The study included patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer progressing after first-line chemotherapy plus trastuzumab. Results: Only 16 (27%) cases had tumor progression while on second-line trastuzumab. Median time to progression was 16 months (95% CI: 11.0 – 20.9). Fifty-five (93%) patients had a progression-free survival of ≥ 6 months, whereas 32 (54%) had a progression-free survival of ≥ 12 months. Conclusion: The continuing trastuzumab beyond progression has clinical benefits in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients. Funding Statement: This study was sponsored and funded by Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Iraq. Declaration of Interests: None. Ethics Approval Statement: The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee of the hospital (MOH Approval No. 11). A verbal informed consent was collected from all participants.