CNS Oncology (Sep 2022)

Multifocal and pathologically-confirmed brain metastasis complete response to trastuzumab deruxtecan

  • Nelson S Moss,
  • Umberto Tosi,
  • Bianca D Santomasso,
  • Kathryn Beal,
  • Shanu Modi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2217/cns-2022-0010
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 3

Abstract

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Antibody–drug conjugates have transformed the treatment of HER2+ breast and other cancers. Unfortunately, the CNS remains a sanctuary site for many such patients in part due to poor macromolecule penetration across the blood–brain tumor barrier. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), a high-payload antibody–drug conjugate, was recently found to improve progression-free survival in HER2+ breast cancer patients versus prior-generation trastuzumab emtansine, prompting us to evaluate CNS activity in a woman with brain-only metastatic disease. T-DXd achieved complete response despite heavy pretreatment. Three persistent, previously-irradiated lesions were biopsy-proven to represent treatment effect. Subsequent recurrence occurred upon treatment holiday; partial response was observed with rechallenge. This case suggests T-DXd is active in HER2+ breast cancer brain metastases and supports further prospective evaluation.

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