Efficacy

Kadcyla (Trastuzumab Emtansine) for Breast Cancer

Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) is a targeted therapy drug used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2 is a protein that can promote the growth of cancer cells. In some cancers, notably breast cancer, HER2 is overexpressed, leading to cancer growth. Kadcyla is a combination of trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets the HER2 protein, and a chemotherapy drug called DM1 (emtansine), which is attached to the antibody. This allows for the direct delivery of the chemotherapy to the cancer cells, sparing normal cells and potentially reducing some chemotherapy side effects.

The efficacy of Kadcyla has been demonstrated in several clinical trials. One pivotal trial that led to its approval was the EMILIA study, which showed that patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who were treated with Kadcyla had a significant improvement in median progression-free survival compared to those who received lapatinib plus capecitabine, another standard treatment. Furthermore, Kadcyla also showed an increase in overall survival in this patient population. These results have confirmed the role of Kadcyla as an important treatment option for patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.

Trodelvy (Sacituzumab Govitecan-hziy) for Breast Cancer

Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is another innovative treatment option for patients with breast cancer, specifically for those with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is a type of cancer that does not express the genes for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), or HER2. Trodelvy is an antibody-drug conjugate which combines a monoclonal antibody that targets the Trop-2 antigen, a protein frequently overexpressed in many epithelial cancers, including TNBC, with a potent chemotherapy drug, SN-38.

The approval of Trodelvy was based on the results of clinical trials that showed a significant benefit in patients with metastatic TNBC who had received at least two prior therapies for metastatic disease. In a phase III trial, Trodelvy significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival compared to standard single-agent chemotherapy. This marked an important advance in the treatment of TNBC, an aggressive form of breast cancer that previously had limited effective treatment options. Trodelvy's ability to target and deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells offers a new hope for patients with this challenging diagnosis.