In a new study, Roche Holding AG (RHHBY), a Swiss pharmaceutical company says, breast cancer progression decreases when Herceptin was added to hormonal therapy. When the patient condition is hormone receptor-positive, as well as HER2-positive, this combined therapy proves to be progression-free. Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer results lower risk rate whereas HER2-positive breast cancer aggressive form of the disease that requires special and immediate attention due to fast- developing tumour.
Eduard Holdener, Global Head of Roche Pharma Development reported that a combination therapy proved a new better treatment for breast cancer patients, who suffer from an extremely aggressive form of the disease. AII over the world nearly above 230,000 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer are trailed for treatment with Herceptin. And whether used alone or with other combination of therapies Herceptin consistently benefits patients.Across the world, in 25 countries about 208 HER2 and hormone receptor co-positive patients were enrolled at 134 sites.The randomised, Phase III trial, conducted by Roche started in 2001 which evaluated Herceptin plus Arimidex versus Armidex alone as first-line therapy -or second line hormonal therapy- in postmenopausal women with advanced, HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer -TAnDEM study reports.
Arimidex - a dose of 1 mg daily and Herceptin a dose of 2 mg/kg weekly were given after an initial loading dose of 4 mg/kg, until disease progression. At the end, patients who received Herceptin had a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival.
Overall safety data and side-effects were continued to be followed.
