Targeted Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer: Better and Easier

This treatment may "allow us to get rid of chemo some day."

A research study on 42 people found that patients with metastatic breast cancer who received the non-conventional treatment of Herceptin and Avastin had fewer side effects and effective tumor shrinkage. "The response rate was impressive for patients with metastatic breast cancer," said Dr. Mark Pegram of UCLA. "And they didn't lose their hair or develop anemia or suffer from nausea or vomiting." The study results were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Herceptin and Avastin are synthetic antibodies, given instead of standard chemotherapy. Herceptin targets the HER2 protein and Avastin supresses VEGF, slowing the formation of vessels which supply blood to the tumors.

• Less-toxic remedies gain in battle on breast cancer
• HER2/neu and Diagnosis
• Herceptin Receives FDA Approval