Objective: To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of recombinant humanized anti-Her-2/neu antibody (Herceptin) and Taxol for patients with Her-2/neu overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.
Methods: Sixty patients with Her-2/neu overexpressing metastatic breast cancer were investigated. Of the 60 cases, 22 were treated with Herceptin and Taxol and 38 with Taxol and doxorubicin.
Results: The total response rate (RR) of Herceptin and Taxol was 68.2%, and that of Taxol and doxorubicin was 44.7%. The RR of patients with Her-2/neu(+++) was 75%, while that of patients with Her-2/neu(++) was 50%. The major adverse effects were gastro-intestinal tract reactions, myopathy, bone marrow suppression and alopecia.
Conclusion: The treatment with Herceptin and Taxol is effective and safe for patients with Her-2/neu overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. The therapeutic effect is related to the degree of Her-2/neu overexpression.