Efficacy

Tecentriq (Atezolizumab) in Breast Cancer

Tecentriq (Atezolizumab) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that has shown efficacy in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is a type of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and the lack of excess HER2 protein. Tecentriq has been approved for use in combination with chemotherapy (nab-paclitaxel) for the treatment of adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1, as determined by an FDA-approved test. The approval was based on the results of the IMpassion130 trial, which demonstrated that patients with PD-L1-positive tumors experienced a significant improvement in progression-free survival when treated with the combination of Tecentriq and nab-paclitaxel compared to placebo plus nab-paclitaxel.

Kadcyla (Trastuzumab Emtansine) in Breast Cancer

Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) is an antibody-drug conjugate that combines the HER2-targeting properties of trastuzumab with the cytotoxic agent DM1 (emtansine). Kadcyla is specifically designed for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, which is a type of breast cancer that tests positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. In a metastatic setting, Kadcyla has been shown to significantly improve both progression-free and overall survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who had previously received trastuzumab and a taxane, separately or in combination. The efficacy of Kadcyla in this setting was established in the EMILIA trial.

In addition to its use in metastatic breast cancer, Kadcyla has also been approved for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer in patients who have residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant taxane and trastuzumab-based treatment. The KATHERINE trial demonstrated that Kadcyla significantly reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence or death compared to trastuzumab in this patient population.

Both Tecentriq and Kadcyla represent significant advances in the treatment of specific subtypes of breast cancer. Their efficacy in improving survival outcomes highlights the importance of personalized medicine and the need for targeted therapies in oncology. The use of these drugs is contingent upon the determination of the molecular characteristics of the tumor, such as PD-L1 expression and HER2 status, which guides the appropriate therapeutic strategy for each individual patient.