Trastuzumab Deruxtecan for Advanced Breast Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores a new treatment, trastuzumab deruxtecan, for individuals with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. It focuses on cases where cancer cannot be surgically removed and has metastasized. Researchers aim to compare this treatment to current standard options, such as lapatinib and capecitabine or trastuzumab and capecitabine. Ideal candidates for this trial have previously received standard HER2 therapies and experienced disease progression. As a Phase 3 trial, this study represents the final step before FDA approval, providing patients an opportunity to access potentially groundbreaking treatment.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that trastuzumab deruxtecan is generally well-tolerated by patients with breast cancer. In one study, most patients did not experience serious side effects. Common issues included a drop in white blood cell count and mild nausea. These side effects are typical with many cancer treatments and can usually be managed.
Another study found that over 92% of patients treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan remained free of invasive disease after three years. This suggests the treatment is effective and safe for those with advanced breast cancer.
Prospective clinical trial participants should consult medical professionals to understand how these findings might relate to their health.12345Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for breast cancer?
Trastuzumab deruxtecan is unique because it combines a targeted therapy approach with a powerful chemotherapy component in one treatment. Unlike standard treatments for HER2-positive advanced breast cancer, such as lapatinib with capecitabine or trastuzumab with capecitabine, trastuzumab deruxtecan uses an innovative antibody-drug conjugate. This design allows it to precisely target and deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, potentially improving effectiveness and reducing harm to healthy cells. Researchers are excited because this dual-action method could lead to better outcomes for patients who have already undergone traditional HER2 therapies.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for advanced breast cancer?
Research has shown that trastuzumab deruxtecan, which participants in this trial may receive, holds promise for treating HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. In one study, over 92% of patients taking this drug remained free of invasive cancer after three years. It also reduced the risk of cancer recurrence or death by 53% compared to T-DM1. Additionally, trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated strong and lasting effects, even in patients with brain metastases. These findings suggest that this treatment could be a powerful option for patients who have already tried other standard treatments.14567
Who Is on the Research Team?
Global Team Leader
Principal Investigator
Daiichi Sankyo
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults with HER2-positive breast cancer that's either inoperable or has spread, and who have previously been treated with T-DM1. They must not have participated in certain other drug studies, have no serious heart disease or lung conditions, and agree to use effective contraception.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive either Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a) or investigator's choice treatment (Lapatinib+capecitabine or Trastuzumab+capecitabine)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Trastuzumab deruxtecan
Trial Overview
The study compares a new medication called DS-8201a (Trastuzumab deruxtecan) against standard treatments like Capecitabine, Trastuzumab, and Lapatinib. It aims to see if DS-8201a is more effective for those who've had prior treatment.
How Is the Trial Designed?
3
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
HER2 positive, unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer participants previously treated with standard of care HER2 therapies, including ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), randomized to treatment with DS-8201a
HER2 positive, unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer participants previously treated with standard of care HER2 therapies, including ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), randomized to investigator's choice treatment with Lapatinib/capecitabine
HER2 positive, unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer participants previously treated with standard of care HER2 therapies, including ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), randomized to investigator's choice treatment with Trastuzumab/capecitabine
Trastuzumab deruxtecan is already approved in United States, European Union, Japan for the following indications:
- Unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer
- Locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma
- Unresectable or metastatic HER2-low breast cancer
- Unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive solid tumors
- Unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer
- Locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma
- Unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer
- Locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Daiichi Sankyo
Lead Sponsor
Hiroyuki Okuzawa
Daiichi Sankyo
Chief Executive Officer
Degree in Social Sciences from Hitotsubashi University
Yuki Abe
Daiichi Sankyo
Chief Medical Officer since 2023
MD
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
Lead Sponsor
Yuki Abe
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
Chief Medical Officer since 2022
MD
Hiroyuki Okuzawa
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer
Degree in Social Sciences from Hitotsubashi University
Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.
Industry Sponsor
AstraZeneca
Industry Sponsor
Sir Pascal Soriot
AstraZeneca
Chief Executive Officer since 2012
Veterinary Medicine from École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, MBA from HEC Paris
Dr. Cristian Massacesi
AstraZeneca
Chief Medical Officer since 2021
MD from Marche Polytechnic University, Oncology training at Royal Marsden Hospital, Kaplan Comprehensive Cancer Center, and European Institute of Oncology
Pascal Soriot
AstraZeneca
Chief Executive Officer since 2012
Veterinary Medicine from École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, MBA from HEC Paris
Cristian Massacesi
AstraZeneca
Chief Medical Officer since 2021
MD from Marche Polytechnic University, Medical Oncology training at Royal Marsden Hospital, Kaplan Comprehensive Cancer Center, and European Institute of Oncology
Published Research Related to This Trial
Citations
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) reduced ...
More than 92% of patients treated with AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo's ENHERTU were free of invasive disease at three years.
Efficacy data | ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Learn about median progression-free survival, overall survival, confirmed objective response rate, tumor response, and NCCN recommendation for patients on ...
Trastuzumab deruxtecan in HER2-positive advanced ...
These data show substantial and durable overall and intracranial activity for T-DXd, supporting its use in previously treated patients with HER2 + mBC.
Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Previously Treated HER2-Low ...
In this trial involving patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer, trastuzumab deruxtecan resulted in significantly longer progression-free and overall ...
Use and outcomes of trastuzumab deruxtecan in HER2- ...
In this large French observational study, T-DXd users were older, had more comorbidities, and had more brain metastases than patients included in registration ...
Real-world safety and efficacy of trastuzumab deruxtecan ...
Our study confirms the efficacy and safety of T-DXd in daily clinical practice. Further research and longer patient follow-up are needed to ...
7.
ascopost.com
ascopost.com/news/october-2025/her2-positive-early-breast-cancer-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-moves-into-earlier-clinical-settings/HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer: Trastuzumab ...
In DESTINY-Breast05, treatment with T-DXd yielded nearly a 9% absolute improvement in 3-year invasive disease–free survival over T-DM1, ...
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