'Simply stunning' - trastuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)-positive metastatic breast cancer is a more aggressive disease than HER-2-negative metastatic breast cancer. The initial Phase III trial with the HER-2 antibody, trastuzumab, in this cancer suggested that, although trastuzumab was beneficial, cardiac adverse events would prevent it from being widely used. Recently trials suggest that, with close monitoring of left ventricular ejection fraction, trastuzumab can be used concurrently or sequentially with the standard adjuvant treatment of HER-2-positive metastatic breast cancer with good benefit. Therefore, with appropriate regimens, trastuzumab will be able to be used routinely in the treatment of HER-2-positive metastatic breast cancer.