Abstract
Background: This prospective pilot study was performed to elucidate whether early changes in serum levels of the Her-2/neu extracellular domain (ECD) reflect histopathological response to trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy in patients with Her-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer. Patients and Methods: ECD levels were measured throughout neoadjuvant trastuzumab-based treatment in 16 patients using a Her-2/neu Microtiter ELISA. Results: In 9 (56%) patients with Her-2/neu shedding tumors (ECD >15ng/ml), ECD values (in % of baseline) of non-responders vs. responders were 117% vs. 55% on day 8 (p=0.014), 157% vs. 58% on day 22 (p=0.061) and 114% vs. 46% at restaging (p=0.049). Conclusion: Serial monitoring of serum Her-2/neu ECD levels may represent a valuable tool to predict pathological response to trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy in patients with Her-2/neu-overexpressing tumors.
Footnotes
- Received October 7, 2003.
- Accepted February 24, 2004.
- Copyright© 2004 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved
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