Checkup

Making Rounds

Dr. Edith Perez

FDA approves Herceptin for early HER2-positive breast cancer

Trastuzumab (Herceptin), a drug previously used only for treating metastatic breast cancer, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat early stage HER2-positive breast cancer. The news "highlights a truly significant advance in the management of breast cancer," says Dr. Edith Perez, director of Mayo Clinic's Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic in Jacksonville. Perez, who led one of the four pivotal studies that proved the drug's benefit in early-stage disease, says the FDA's Nov. 16 approval of the drug for early stage breast cancer allows physicians to manage an aggressive type of breast cancer much more effectively than just a few years ago.

"We know that a million people are diagnosed with breast cancer in this world every year," Perez says, "and many are diagnosed with early disease that is potentially curable. This advance, and all the research continuing on novel therapies based on molecular markers in cancer, provides a brighter future for these patients." Between 25 percent and 30 percent of breast cancer is HER2-positive, making it a fast-growing cancer. The clear benefit of adding trastuzumab to chemotherapy for patients with advanced breast cancer led several investigators to develop studies in the late 1990s. Researchers sought to test how the drug would treat HER2-positive cancer before it had a chance to spread. They believed that if the drug could help women with the poorest prognoses, the benefit it could offer women with the earliest stages of invasive, HER2-positive breast cancer might be dramatic. Their hunch proved right. Trastuzumab cut cancer recurrence by 52 percent, compared to standard therapy, Perez reported late last year. Conducted with the help of researchers nationwide and supported by patients willing to participate, the study has since led to a change in treatment of women whose early-stage breast cancer is HER2-positive, Perez says. FDA approval makes this treatment available outside the parameters of a clinical study.

"Our ultimate goal is to prevent cancer from returning," Perez says, "and this drug takes us closer to reaching the era when breast cancer will no longer be a lethal disease."

Mayo Clinic Health Forum

Mayo Clinic Health Forum presents "Take the Wheel: The Latest in Epilepsy," with neurologist and epilepsy specialist Dr. Jerry Shih, Wednesday, Jan 17.

The program begins at 7 p.m. in Kinne Auditorium in the Cannaday Building at Mayo Clinic. Please call (904) 953-0770 to reserve your seat, or use our online reservation request form.

Simple Success Series

Classes for both programs are held at the St. Luke's Hospital campus. For class dates, times and other information, please call (904) 296-3733.

Diabetes program
This comprehensive outpatient program teaches diabetics how to manage their disease. Health care professionals teach a series of four classes totaling 10 hours in a supportive, small-group environment. Insurance companies may cover the cost.

Weight control program
A registered dietitian and exercise physiologist teach this 12-week, comprehensive outpatient program. Emphasis is placed on lifestyle, exercise, attitudes and relationships and their effect on one's health.

Do you suffer from recurring abdominal discomfort?

Mayo Clinic is looking for individuals with:

• chronic abdominal discomfort
• bloating
• early or excessive fullness following meals

The Clinical Studies Unit is investigating the effects of two medicines on symptoms after meals and on the movement of food through the stomach. The nine-month trial (three months on medication, six months of follow-up) involves questionnaires, laboratory tests, a nutrient drink test and a gastric emptying study.A sample of blood for DNA will be drawn and stored for future testing. Visits will range from two to six hours. Compensation is offered. Please call Verna Skinner at (904) 953-0703 or send an email to skinner.verna@mayo.edu.

Correction

In our November 2006 issue, a typographical error caused us to lose a few hundred hospital beds. Construction Corner noted that our "14-bed" hospital was topped off in October. It should have said our 214-bed hospital. We regret any confusion the error may have caused.