AI Article Synopsis

  • HER2-positive breast cancer increases the risk of central nervous system metastases, leading to leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a severe condition with limited treatment options.
  • Several case reports have explored intrathecal (i.t.) trastuzumab, often used alone or with methotrexate, in treating leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.
  • This study reports successful treatment of two breast cancer patients with i.t. methotrexate and cytarabine combined with escalating doses of trastuzumab, showing good disease control and minimal side effects.

Article Abstract

HER2-positive status is associated with increased risk of central nervous system (CNS) metastases in breast cancer patients. Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) represents a rare but disastrous manifestation of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Several case reports of intrathecal (i.t.) trastuzumab in the treatment of LCM were published so far. Usually, i.t. trastuzumab was administered in monotherapy or in combination with metothrexate. Herein, we report for the first time two patients with metastatic breast cancer and leptomeningeal carcinomatosis treated by intrathecal methotrexate (15 mg total dose) and cytarabine (24 mg total dose) with escalating dose of trastuzumab. We observed that up to 100 mg of trastuzumab can be safely administered intratecally with i.t. metothrexate and cytarabine. Both patients achieved good control of leptomeningeal disease for 13.5 and 6 months without significant toxicity. We suggest that i.t. trastuzumab with cytarabine and metothrexate is associated with promising benefit and warrant further investigation.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2011.05.007DOI Listing

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