Warning

The treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) will differ for every patient with no single pathway determined as “best practice”.  This pathway lists the treatments available for MBC in Scotland with guidance to support joint decision making with the patient.  The choice and availability of therapy is determined by first diagnosis of metastatic disease or recurrence, previous treatment and response to prior therapies, general health, liver/renal/bone marrow function, sites of disease and access to clinical trials.  Initial doses and frequency are suggested but should be adjusted to take into account individual patient factors in line with the relevant SACT protocol.

HER2-positive refers to tumours scoring 3+ or 2+ by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and HER2 gene amplification by in situ hybridisation (ISH).

Initial Treatment

Standard first line therapy for de novo HER2+ MBC should consist of a taxane (docetaxel or paclitaxel) in combination with pertuzumab and trastuzumab.  Patients who have received prior treatment with peruzumab and trastuzumab in either the (neo)adjuvant or metastatic setting may be considered for alternative 2nd line therapies for disease progression within 6 months of finishing treatment.

Patients with HR+ disease should be initiated on endocrine therapy (when chemotherapy has completed) alongside maintenance anti-HER2 therapy.  Ovarian Function Suppression should be added for pre- and perimenopausal women.

Preferred regimen: Docetaxel in combination with Pertuzumab & Trastuzumab 

SMC 2120 pertuzumab/trastuzumab in combination with docetaxel in adult patients with HER2-positive metastatic or locally recurrent unresectable breast cancer, who have not received previous anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for their metastatic disease.

Alternative Regimens

  • Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide in combination with Trastuzumab
  • Paclitaxel weekly in combination with Trastuzumab

SMC 928/13  Trastuzumab  is accepted for restricted use in treatment of HER2+ metastatic breast cancer

Palliative SACT Regimens

Sequential single-agent treatment is generally preferred but combination therapy should be considered if a rapid response is needed.  The optimal sequence of therapy in MBC has not been established. Available options should be discussed with the patient as part of shared decision making consultation.  The following treatments are not listed in order; restrictions to line of therapy are specified for each.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan 5.4mg/kg IV every 3 weeks until progression or toxicity

  • Disease progression <6 months since (neo)adjuvant anti-HER2 treatment
  • After progression on 1st line anti-HER2 treatment for metastatic disease
  • After trastuzumab emtansine

SMC 2545

Trastuzumab emtansine 3.6mg/kg IV every 3 weeks until progression or toxicity

  • Disease progression <6 months since (neo)adjuvant treatment with anti-HER2 treatment
  • After progression on 1st line metastatic anti-HER2 treatment
  • After trastuzumab deruxtecan

SMC 990/14

Anthracyline based treatment

Epirubicin 60mg/m2  and cyclophosphamide 600mg/m2 IV  3-weekly for up to 6 cycles

Epirubicin 30mg/m2 IV weekly until 12 weeks then move to 2 weekly maintenance until toxicity or disease progression.  (If proceeding with treatment beyond maximum cumulative dose of 900mg/mthe patient should be consulted and re-consented.)

Taxanes

Paclitaxel 80mg/m2  IV weekly for up to 12-18 weeks then reduce to 2 weekly until toxicity or disease progression

Docetaxel 75-80mg/m2  IV 3-weekly for up to 6 cycles

Capecitabine

Capecitabine 1000mg/m2 PO bd d1-14 3-weekly. Continue until progression or toxicity

Eribulin

Eribulin 1.23mg/m2  IV on day 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle continued until progression or toxicity

  • SMC 1065/15 after at least two prior chemotherapeutic regimens for advanced disease which includes capecitabine if indicated

Tucatinib

Tucatinib 300mg orally twice daily continuously concurrent with trastuzumab and capecitabine until progression or toxicity
  • SMC 2398 after at least two prior anti-HER2 treatment regimens

Vinorelbine

Vinorelbine 60-80 mg/m2 oral days 1+8, or 25mg/m2 IV 3-weekly

Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide 50mg orally once daily continuously until progression or toxicity

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Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 27/03/2024

Next review date: 27/03/2027

Author(s): Lisa MacLeod.

Version: 1.0

Reviewer name(s): Frances Yuille.