Trastuzumab Deruxtecan for Metastatic Breast Cancer

This trial tests a new treatment, trastuzumab deruxtecan, to determine if it outperforms standard treatments for a specific type of breast cancer. The focus is on individuals whose breast cancer has low HER2 protein, is inoperable, and has metastasized. Participants should have previously tried chemotherapy without success. The trial will compare the new treatment to other common options selected by doctors. As a Phase 3 trial, this study represents the final step before FDA approval, providing participants an opportunity to access a potentially groundbreaking treatment.

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial team or your doctor.

Research has shown that trastuzumab deruxtecan is usually well-tolerated by people with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. In a study with 371 patients, most side effects were mild to moderate, indicating they were not very serious.

Common side effects include nausea, tiredness, and low blood cell counts, which are typical for many cancer treatments. Trastuzumab deruxtecan has undergone thorough study, providing doctors with a good understanding of what to expect.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan is unique because it targets HER2-low expressing metastatic breast cancer cells with a precision not seen in traditional chemotherapy options like capecitabine, eribulin, or paclitaxel. This treatment is an antibody-drug conjugate, combining the targeted action of monoclonal antibodies with the cancer-killing power of chemotherapy, allowing it to deliver its potent payload directly to cancer cells while sparing more healthy cells. Researchers are excited about trastuzumab deruxtecan because its targeted mechanism could lead to improved outcomes and fewer side effects for patients with limited treatment options.

Studies have shown that trastuzumab deruxtecan, which participants in this trial may receive, effectively treats HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. Earlier research demonstrated that patients taking this drug lived longer without their cancer worsening or spreading. Specifically, their cancer did not progress for an average of 13.2 months, compared to 8.1 months for those on standard chemotherapy. Additionally, patients on trastuzumab deruxtecan lived longer overall. These findings suggest that this treatment can be more effective than traditional chemotherapy for this type of breast cancer. Participants in this trial may also be randomized to receive a treatment from the Physician's Choice arm, which includes options like Capecitabine, Eribulin, Gemcitabine, Paclitaxel, or Nab-paclitaxel.³⁴⁶⁷⁸