Is there any advantage from continuation of Trastuzumab beyond progression in metastatic HER positive gastric cancer? Report of two cases and literature review

rachid tanz; tarik mahfoud; khmamouch reda; choukri el m'hadi; ilyas el alami; aziz bazine; hassan errihani; mohamed ichou

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

Is there any advantage from continuation of Trastuzumab beyond progression in metastatic HER positive gastric cancer? Report of two cases and literature review

Rachid Tanz, Tarik Mahfoud, Khmamouch Reda, Choukri El M Hadi, Ilyas El Alami, Aziz Bazine, Hassan Errihani, Mohamed Ichou

Abstract :

Background : Gastric cancer is a widespread cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. In metastatic patients with HER2 overexpression the addition of Trastuzumab to first line chemotherapy improves tumor response and chance for survival. The optimal duration of Trastuzumab in this setting still unknown as well as the benefit of Trastuzumab continuation beyond progression in advanced gastric cancer.

Case presentation:We report twoMoroccan female patients who favorably responded to second line chemotherapy with Trastuzumab continuation following progressive disease to first line treatmentcontaining Trastuzumab.

Conclusion: Our report and the review of literature showed that Trastuzumab continuation beyond progressive disease in metastatic HER positive gastric cancer is safe, practical and may improve chance for survival.