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Any less cardio-toxic, Herceptin-like drugs?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from Linda: Are there any new Herceptin-like drugs that are less cardio-toxic (causing cardiac side effects)?
Answers —Hope Rugo, M.D.: There are new Herceptin-like drugs, but we don't have cardiotoxicity results yet. There is a new antibody being tested called pertuzumab, or 2C4. The drug that has had the most testing is an agent that is actually a pill, and the class of drug is called kinase inhibitors. That drug is called lapatinib. There is data that it is effective in HER2-positive breast cancer that has continued to grow despite Herceptin treatment. Clinical trials are evaluating lapatinib in combination with Herceptin, as well as other agents.
Jennifer Armstrong, M.D.: It's great to have Dr. Rugo's cutting-edge knowledge on all of these options. It really is an exciting time and we look forward to adding treatment options for women with breast cancer.

On Wednesday, June 15, 2005 our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2005 ASCO Annual Meeting. Hope Rugo, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. answered your questions on the latest research advances presented at the 2005 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Orlando, FL. 

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

Hope S. Rugo, M.D.Hope S. Rugo, M.D. is a clinical professor of medicine in the division of hematology and oncology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she directs the Breast Oncology Clinical Trials Program.

Jennifer Armstrong, M.D.Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. is a breast cancer oncologist at Paoli Hematology-Oncology Associates in Paoli, Pa., with a special interest in physicians' communication skills.

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