This new study investigated whether Herceptin (trastuzumab) improves outcomes for women with metastatic breast cancer, depending on their human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) status. The study included 2,091 women with stage IV breast cancer who had originally been diagnosed between 1991 and 2007. The women were assigned to one of three possible groups: HER2/neu-negative, HER2/neu-positive with first-line Herceptin treatment, and HER2/neu-positive without first-line Herceptin treatment. One-year survival rates were 75.1% for those with HER2/neu-negative disease, 86.6% for those with HER2/neu-positive disease and Herceptin treatment, and 70.2% for those with HER2/neu-positive disease and no Herceptin treatment. Patients with HER2/neu-positive breast cancer who used Herceptin were found to have a 44% reduction in risk of death compared to women with HER2/neu-negative disease. The results held only for the first 24 months. The study demonstrates that women with HER2/neu-positive metastatic breast cancer who use Herceptin have improved prognosis compared with those with HER2/neu-negative disease.

Study confirms value of Herceptin in treating HER2-positive disease

This study demonstrates that Herceptin has dramatically improved outcomes for women with HER2/neu-positive breast cancer, who used to have an ominous prognosis. There are certain foods which can enhance Herceptin treatment and others that should be avoided. Please see our web pages on Herceptin and HER2 overexpressing breast cancer.