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Tykerb available? Only given with Xeloda?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from SarahL: When will lapatinib (Tykerb) be available, and will it only be in conjunction with capecitabine (Xeloda) for patients who have already had an anthracycline?
Answers —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: Lapatinib is a so-called targeted therapy that appears to have some activity in patients with a particular form of breast cancer. It appears to be effective in some women whose tumors are no longer responding to Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab), in combination with Xeloda. The addition of lapatinib led to longer responses to treatment. There are many trials and studies going on to figure out who will benefit the most from lapatinib. The approval date is expected to be soon, but the regulatory process can sometimes be very slow because of concerns about safety. I would expect that the drug will be used in women who are not on Xeloda, but the best use of this drug is still under study. You can ask your doctor if you might be able to get this medication through a program called an expanded access program. You may also be eligible for one of these clinical studies that are ongoing.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Breastcancer.org will be one of the first to know when lapatinib obtains FDA approval. Always stay tuned!

Editor's Note: Tykerb (chemical name: lapatinib) was approved in 2007 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be given in combination with Xeloda (chemical name: capecitabine), a type of chemotherapy, to treat advanced, HER2-positive breast cancer that has stopped responding to anthracyclines, taxanes, and Herceptin.

On Wednesday, December 20, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2006. Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. and moderator Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about the newest research on breast cancer treatment, side effects, risk of recurrence, 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

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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