Stereotactic Radiation and Dual Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Blockade with Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab in the Treatment of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases: A Single Institution Series

Cancers (Basel). 2022 Jan 8;14(2):303. doi: 10.3390/cancers14020303.

Abstract

(1) Background: This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of fractionated SRT (fSRT) and pertuzumab-trastuzumab (PT) in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM). (2) Methods: Patients with HER2+ BCBM who received FSRT from 2015 to 2019 were identified. Patients were included if they were treated with fSRT within 21 days of receiving PT. All lesions were treated with LINAC-based fSRT to a total dose of 27 Gy delivered in three consecutive fractions. All patients received concurrent PT. Patients were evaluated 4-6 weeks after SRS and subsequently every 2-3 months with MRI re-imaging (3) Results: A total of 49 patients with HER2+ brain metastases were identified. Of these patients, a total of 10 patients with 32 HER2+ BCBM were treated with concurrent SRT and PT and included in the analysis. No local progression was observed. Overall response rate was 68.7%. Only one patient developed asymptomatic radionecrosis. Median time to BM occurrence was 15.6 (range: 1-40.5 months). Distant intracranial failure occurred in 4/10 patients (40.0%). Overall BCBM median survival was 33.9 months (95%CI 24.1-43.6). Mean duration of PT treatment was 27.9 months (range: 10.1-53.7 months). (4) Conclusions: In our single institution experience, fSRT and PT showed to be a safe treatment for patients with BCBM with an adequate overall response rate.

Keywords: SRT; breast cancer; dual blockade; pertuzumab; trastuzumab.