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Released: Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Updated SAOC Policy Statement On The Use Of Adjuvant trastuzumab (Herceptin) The FinHer Study on the use of adjuvant trastuzumab in breast cancer was published in the February 23 2006 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. In contrast to the previously published and presented studies, a short course of trastuzumab, given concurrently with chemotherapy, was used. Although this study randomized a significantly smaller number of patients than the previously published studies, the magnitude of benefit obtained by the addition of short-course trastuzumab was found to be similar.
Recognizing the fact that the data from all the published studies are still early, and more mature results are awaited, the SAOC believes that short-course trastuzumab is a reasonable alternative to the conventional 1-year regimen, when and where financial constraints prevail. It is the stand point of the SAOC that the guidelines and regimens within the larger studies be followed where possible, until more mature data emerges. It is emphasized that Herceptin is a cardiotoxin when used in combination with certain chemotherapy drugs, especially anthracyclines, and that the long-term safety is not yet established. It is advised that trastuzumab should therefore be used with one of the chemotherapy regimens as per the published studies.
This policy statement will be updated as more mature data becomes available. Please direct any comments to martyns@saoc.org.za
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