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Abstract
In HER2/neu-positive metastatic breast cancer, the combination of chemotherapy and trastuzumab
has become a standard of care. This review discusses HER2/neu overexpression in breast cancer and the use of trastuzumab-based therapies. Specifically,
the rationale for a gemcitabine/trastuzumab combination in this disease entity and
the available clinical data on the use of the combination are discussed. Response
rates of 12%-42% have been seen with single-agent gemcitabine and 37%-62% with trastuzumab/gemcitabine
combinations. Further work is currently ongoing to examine this promising combination.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 14,
2003
Received in revised form:
October 28,
2003
Received:
August 4,
2003
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Copyright
© 2004 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
