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The biggest news out of the June meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) was the success of a relatively new drug called Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) in treating estrogen positive (ER+) and triple negative (TNBC) breast cancers that were also HER2 low. Results of the clinical trial presented at the meeting were so positive that in August the FDA approved the drug for patients with metastatic HER2 low breast cancer that has progressed on other treatments.

Most of us likely learned our cancer’s positive or negative HER2 status when we were diagnosed. But how can you find out if you’re HER2 low? And what does this mean for treatment? 

In this episode, pathologist David G. Hicks MD, Professor and Director of IHC-ISH Laboratory Breast Subspecialty Service at the University of Rochester, and Maryam Lustberg MD, MPH, Director of the Center for Breast Cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Chief of Breast Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center, help the Our MBC Life team understand HER2 low and what it means for treatment.

Spoiler alert: In its Phase III clinical trial, Enhertu significantly extended both progression-free survival and overall survival versus standard of care chemotherapy—an outcome that earned its research team a standing ovation at ASMO. However, the drug has significant side effects, and Our MBC Life’s Natalia Green shares her experience with her own treatment.

Resources

David G. Hicks, MD bio -  www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/20643669-david-g-hicks

Maryam Lustberg, MD, MPH - https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/maryam_lustberg/

Newly published by Dr. Hicks: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0740257022000570

The official press release from ASCO re Enhertu: https://www.asco.org/about-asco/press-center/news-releases/novel-antibody-drug-conjugate-doubles-progression-free