Role of lapatinib in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer.

摘要: Lapatinib is a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB1) and human 2 (HER2/ErbB2). EGFR HER2 overexpression associated with aggressive breast cancer high risk disease relapse death. Although lapatinib targets both HER2, its effects on appear to be more critical. The role in the first-line setting remains unclear. A phase II monotherapy trial HER2-therapy-naive metastatic (MBC) patients confirms efficacy HER2-positive tumors. Retrospective analysis III, MBC study confirmed incremental benefit from paclitaxel over alone disease. prospective III superiority letrozole MBC. Further investigation required define potential for lapatinib. Particular strengths manageable toxicity profile, lack cross resistance trastuzumab, activity central nervous system disease, synergy combination other anticancer therapy. Current limitations are dosing recommendations early trials, predictive biomarkers beyond status, large trials setting. HER2-negative