Purpose: HER2-positive breast cancer has a high risk of brain metastasis. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is standard of care for limited brain metastases. Tucatinib, a HER2-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated intracranial efficacy in the HER2-CLIMB Trial. However, it is unknown whether tucatinib with SRS is safe or effective.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of HER2-positive breast cancer treated with SRS and tucatinib for brain metastases management was performed. All patients received tucatinib and SRS for the management of active brain metastases. The primary endpoint was local and distant brain tumor control. Secondary endpoints were intracranial progression free survival (CNS-PFS), systemic PFS, overall survival (OS), and neurotoxicity.
Results: A total of 135 lesions treated with SRS over 39 treatment sessions in 22 patients were identified. Median follow-up from tucatinib initiation was 20.8 months. Local brain control was 94% at 12-months and 81% at 24-months. Distant brain control was 39% at 12-months and 26% at 24-months. Median survival was 21.2 months, with 12- and 24-month OS rates of 84% and 50%, respectively. Median CNS-PFS was 11.3 months, with 12- and 24-month CNS-PFS rates of 44.9% at both time points. Median systemic PFS was not reached, with 12- and 24-month systemic PFS rates of 86% and 57%, respectively. Symptomatic radiation necrosis occurred in 6 (4%) lesions. No additional unexpected toxicities were noted.
Conclusions: SRS in combination with tucatinib, capecitabine, and trastuzumab appears to be a safe and feasible treatment for HER2 + brain metastases. Further prospective evaluation of potential synergistic effects is warranted.
Keywords: Brain metastases; Breast cancer; Stereotactic radiosurgery; Tucatinib.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.