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Were any updates to the HERA trial presented?

Page last modified on: January 7, 2009
Question from Mona: Were any updates to the HERA trial presented?
Answer —Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P.: We were awaiting an important update to the HERA trial, which was an internationally conducted clinical study of the use of Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) following chemotherapy for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. In the HERA trial, women were randomized to receive either no trastuzumab or 1 year of trastuzumab therapy or 2 years of trastuzumab therapy. To date, the study has demonstrated that the use of trastuzumab was superior in efficacy to the use of chemotherapy alone without trastuzumab. However, we are still awaiting results regarding the duration of treatment, and the question of whether 2 years of trastuzumab treatment is superior to 1 year, or the same, or inferior remains unanswered. There was no update at this meeting about the duration of trastuzumab treatment in the adjuvant setting.

On Wednesday, December 17, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2008 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P. and Carol Kaplan, M.D. answered your questions about the latest updates on breast cancer risk, screening techniques, treatment options, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P.Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P. is associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University School of Medicine. She is the founder of The Women's Oncology & Wellness Practice in New York City where she specializes in treating women with breast cancer and other malignancies, as well as women at risk for cancer. 

Carol Kaplan, M.D. is an assistant professor of clinical medicine in the Rena Rowan Breast Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Her work revolves around the clinical care of breast cancer patients, as well as teaching medical students and house staff.

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