BCAC’s Libby Burgess caught up with the latest HER2 positive breast cancer research results at the ESMO Asia Pacific Congress in Singapore this December.
Research highlights included results from the Destiny-Breast clinical trials with Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan, T-DXd), showing its remarkable power as an anti-HER2 strategy at a wide range of stages, both before and after surgery in early breast cancer and as a first and later line treatment in advanced HER2 positive as well as advanced hormone receptor positive HER2-low and ultralow breast cancer. The optimal sequencing of Enhertu with other treatments is not yet known, but there is a view that the most effective treatment should be used before other strategies, and potentially later when the cancer advances. This medicine has truly transformed best practice treatment for many patients. In New Zealand Enhertu is currently funded only as a later treatment for advanced HER2 positive breast cancer after progression on earlier treatments. BCAC is hopeful that access will be broadened to more stages.
