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Looking at the results from clinical trials: How does Trastuzumab emtansine extend the survival of breast cancer patients by 5.8 months?
In the long history of breast cancer treatment, Trastuzumab emtansine (trade name: Kadcyla) is undoubtedly a remarkable breakthrough. This antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) consists of the humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) and the cytotoxic drug DM1, which specifically inhibits the growth of HER2-positive breast cancer cells.
The importance of TRASTUZUMAB in anti-cancer treatment is self-evident. This antibody can effectively bind to the HER2 receptor, preventing its activation and thus inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. Trastuzumab emtansine goes a step further, entering cells through receptor-mediated internalization and releasing the cytotoxic component DM1, causing a fatal blow to cancer cells.
The drug is designed to deliver cytotoxins directly into tumor cells through precise targeted delivery, thereby minimizing damage to healthy cells.
According to the results of the EMILIA clinical trial, trastuzumab emtansine significantly improved the survival rate of female patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who had become resistant to trastuzumab alone, extending the average overall survival by 5.8 months. The trial results showed that the median survival of patients who received trastuzumab emtansine was 30.9 months, while that of patients who received another treatment was only 25.1 months.
Through this groundbreaking clinical trial, Trastuzumab emtansine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013 for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. The study, which involved 991 participants receiving trastuzumab emtansine or in combination with other drugs, yielded further positive conclusions.
"The results of this clinical study highlight the potential of trastuzumab emtansine to improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients."
Medical uses and efficacy
In the United States, trastuzumab emtansine is designed for patients who have developed metastatic breast cancer again after receiving trastuzumab and paclitaxel (paclitaxel or docetaxel). According to the results of the EMILIA study, this drug further prolonged patients' survival while having relatively little impact on their quality of life.
Clinical trials have shown that the side effects of Trastuzumab emtansine include fatigue, nausea and headache, and its overall tolerability is still better than that of traditional chemotherapy combinations. This suggests its relative superiority in terms of safety and effectiveness, allowing many patients to be treated in a less stressful manner in the future.
The study showed that "43% of patients receiving trastuzumab emtansine experienced serious side effects, compared with 59% of patients receiving the control treatment."
Adverse Reactions
In the EMILIA trial, it was found that common adverse reactions of trastuzumab emtansine included abnormal liver function, heart damage and peripheral neuropathy. Nonetheless, the risk of these side effects is closely monitored and many patients are able to manage them effectively with their doctor's guidance.
It is worth noting that in the United States, Trastuzumab emtansine is listed as a black box warning drug, warning of its possible liver toxicity and heart damage, and requires extra caution when using it, especially for pregnant women.
Economic and cultural influences
However, as demand for this new class of drugs grows, the issue of pricing for trastuzumab emtansine in the UK remains controversial. The initial list price affected its availability on the NHS, but fortunately confidential discounts eventually agreed with the pharmaceutical company have led to some availability of the drug.
With the development of trastuzumab emtansine, many new clinical trials have followed to further explore its potential in other cancer types and different treatment settings, demonstrating the breadth of its future applications.
Future Outlook
It can be foreseen that for breast cancer patients, Trastuzumab emtansine is not only a treatment option, but also a chance of survival. As clinical trials and research progress, we expect to observe more potential long-term effects. The progress of research makes us ask: What innovative treatments might emerge from future cutting-edge discoveries that will help us defeat breast cancer?
