Editor’s Note: This article was originally published September 16, 2016, and has since been updated.
Exciting news from Europe as scientists may have found a breakthrough for breast cancer, the most common cancer in women. A recent study tested a combination of drugs, Herceptin and Lapatinib, showing promising results in eliminating some types of breast cancer in just 11 days.
Breast Cancer Breakthrough
Research presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference revealed the effectiveness of Herceptin and Lapatinib when used together before surgery and chemotherapy. Funded by Cancer Research UK, the study aimed to combat the HER2 protein that affects cancer cell growth and division.
The study involved 257 women with HER2 positive breast cancer. Results showed that the combination of Herceptin and Lapatinib had a significant impact on reducing cancer cells and tumor size compared to using Herceptin alone. While there are still challenges ahead, this breakthrough could potentially eliminate the need for chemotherapy and surgery in some cases.
Study Results
Of the women in the study, those on the combination treatment had remarkable outcomes, with some showing no cancer cells remaining within two weeks. This study paves the way for potential changes in Herceptin’s licensing, allowing it to be used alone without chemotherapy.
This breakthrough is a major step forward in the fight against breast cancer, offering hope for improved treatment options in the future. With ongoing advancements in medical research, a cure for breast cancer may be closer than we think!
Sources
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- Andrews, R. (2016, August 15). Remarkable Breast Cancer Trial Destroys Tumors In Just 11 Days. Retrieved from https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/remarkable-breast-cancer-trial-destroys-tumors-just-11-days/
- Breastcancer.org. (n.d.). U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics
- The European Cancer Association. (2016, March 10). Combination of lapatinib and trastuzumab shrinks HER2 positive breast cancer significantly in 11 days after diagnosis. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160310125513.htm
- MacMillan Cancer Support. (2015, September 1). HER2 positive breast cancer. Retrieved from https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancerinformation/cancertypes/breast/aboutbreastcancer/typesandrelatedconditions/her2%20positive.aspx
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