SAN ANTONIO — A drug that's effective in treating breast cancer may also be showing new hope for treating brain tumors that result from breast cancer.
A new study published by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has found that the drug sacituzumab govitecan shows potential as a new treatment for breast cancer that has spread to the brain or recurrent glioblastoma.
These results come from a prospective, “opportunity” trial in which patients agreed to receive the new treatment before undergoing surgery.
Researchers found that the drug was well tolerated and showed signs of effectiveness in patients whose breast cancer had progressed to brain tumors.
“We knew this drug was effective in treating breast cancer, but its utility in treating brain tumors caused by breast cancer was unknown,” said Andrew J. Brenner, MD, professor and chair of neuro-oncology research at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. “However, our study demonstrated that we could achieve sufficient concentrations of the inhibitor within the tumor to benefit patients, with minimal side effects. This is very promising as a new treatment.”
According to the report, approximately half of women with aggressive, advanced triple-negative breast cancer will be diagnosed with brain metastases. The prognosis is poor, with a median overall survival of just over seven months.
