HER2 should be detected as early as possible in breast cancer patients

"Breast cancer has become Beijing, Shanghai, China's developed areas represented the most common cancer in women, which accounted for Jin Sancheng HER2-positive breast cancer. It is the general breast cancer compared to the more dangerous and poor prognosis. Most people worry is that, HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosed patients, only 10% chose the universal implementation of the international "gold standard" - that is, to Herceptin (trastuzumab) as a basis for treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer . to change the current treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer status, can not be achieved overnight, but it is really urgent. Life can not miss. "Recently, the reporter Cancer Hospital of Chinese Medical Professor Xu Binghe, he told reporters.

HER2-positive breast cancer is more dangerous

Nearly half of patients, regardless of yin and yang, miss

Survey, from 2000 to 2005 Chinese women with breast cancer death and morbidity, whether absolute or relative ratio of the number of upward trend, the number increased by 38.5% incidence. Professor Xu Binghe said that with the popularization of knowledge of disease, public awareness of breast cancer prevention, yet few people know: breast cancer treatment to sub-yin, and yin and yang of the tag is HER2 - human epidermal growth factor receptor - 2 (HER2), and the growth and proliferation of cancer cells have an important relationship. Is an important prognostic factor for breast cancer targeting and selection of the predictors of drug efficacy.

He explained to reporters, HER2-positive means "human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 overexpression." Means: "She" has been activated, the signal is passed to stimulate the proliferation of cancer cells crazy, so patients with HER2-positive breast cancer malignant tumor cells a greater degree of progress faster and easier to recurrence and distant metastasis, and poor results of chemotherapy the future prognosis even worse.

Regrettable that many patients do not know their HER2 status. A survey report shows that, in the past have never done half of HER2 breast cancer detection. "Yin and yang can not tell, do not know left, right away. This allows many patients to go the detour, or even miss the opportunity. Clearly subtypes to determine which treatment with, otherwise, treatment of excessive or unreasonable treatment, will to adversely affect survival in breast cancer patients. "Professor Xu Binghe said.

The basis of anti-HER2 therapy so that patients regain hope

Early distinguish yin and yang, you can identify the direction, if it is HER2-positive, based on the effects of treatment can make even more dangerous diseases have been saved the day. Research shows that if only accept the routine treatment, HER2-positive breast cancer patients with HER2-negative patients survival time is only half the battle. However, in turn, determine the HER2 status early if the early use of targeted therapy, compared with normal breast cancer patients, HER2 positive patients chances of survival would be close. "Studies have shown that Herceptin in early breast cancer patients can reduce the risk of recurrence nearly 50%." Professor Xu Binghe emphasized.

"I have a patient, 7 years ago was diagnosed with breast cancer, HER2-positive, and is 3 plus. (2 plus that is likely to be HER2-positive breast cancer, plus 3 is certain.) Was doctor for her to do a modified radical mastectomy, then Herceptin international clinical study results have not yet come out, the doctor can not recommend postoperative adjuvant targeted therapy, she missed the best opportunity to cure. In 2003 she was referred to me here, was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, she herself had lost hope of survival, fortunately, Herceptin (trastuzumab) as a basis for treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer has been applied in clinical , I suggested she use Herceptin. until now patients have received more than 5 years of treatment, disease did not progress, including no new lesions, which is equivalent to give her a new chance at life. "said Professor Xu Binghe .

Jiucheng biological targeted therapy to help patients live longer

The medical profession has reached a consensus: biological targeted therapy is the second post-chemotherapy and endocrine therapy but also an effective treatment. Specifically targets HER2 targeted therapy of breast cancer drugs Herceptin, is considered to be HER2-positive breast cancer is currently the most mature classic program, which is the first bio-targeted drugs for breast cancer. Since its inception in 1998, Herceptin has been in the world to more than 600,000 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer result in significant survival benefit. According to Professor Xu Binghe introduced the program Herceptin can reduce the risk of tumor recurrence 52%, patients were 33% lower risk of death. The results show that, after observing an average of 4 years of treatment, nearly 90% of female patients receiving Herceptin still survive.

Association of breast cancer as the Chinese Society of Professional Committee of the Standing Committee, Professor Xu Binghe said that technology has made the treatment of breast cancer has become one of the diseases most progress, the early cure rate as high as 90% or more, even in patients with advanced can prolong the survival of breast cancer decades ago have not as chilling. In particular, the advent of biological targeted drugs, is recognized as a breakthrough in the treatment of breast cancer. It is different from chemotherapy, the tumor cells with healthy cells and kill, leading to decreased immunity, health is fading fast; biological targeted agents can identify the "enemy" "I" successfully "targeted" cancer cells, cancer cells specifically restraint growth, which brought the gospel to the cancer patients.

It seems the Professor Xu Binghe, breast cancer is also very important to rebuild confidence. "Confidence come from? Is to have a comprehensive judgments of the disease, HER2 testing done in time, aware of their HER2 status, the treatment can know the direction, targeted. If the patient can type accurately, timely and basic treatment, can reduce loss of life, as well as significant savings in medical costs. "It is understood that HER2 testing has become a top three hospital routine testing program.

"Breast cancer care," the joint efforts of both doctors and patients to rely on

Professor Xu Binghe said, because of the HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosis and treatment compared with foreign advanced technology, there are some gaps, for HER2-positive breast cancer clinician awareness and the relative lack of attention, in patients with HER2 no further reminder testing to determine HER2 status, which is led to the foundation did not get enough attention to treatment of an objective reason. Therefore, promotion of breast cancer in mid-2009, the Ministry of Health urged China to breast cancer 'caring action'. "I am with many areas and pathological study of breast cancer together with experts involved in the project, and this is carried out jointly by government and academia public welfare projects, we hope to carry out the project by the public to spread breast cancer prevention and control of public education ; but also to improve the clinical skills of medical treatment to help patients overcome the disease. "

On the other hand, careless of life. The place to be inquisitive, the patient can not effect. Especially the test results, and doctors need to actively communicate, like doctor adhere to standardized treatment. After all, overcoming the disease depends on both the superb medical treatment medicine and science, but also depends on the confidence and overcome the disease in patients with active cooperation. Only parties with appropriate, aggressive treatment can improve the prognosis. For the current into the market through informal channels, such as counterfeit drugs Herceptin, Professor Xu Binghe stressed, doctors recommend that patients in the traditional channels, purchase of medicines and prescribed medication, standard treatment. "Because of biological targeted drugs have strict storage conditions, drug transport and preservation of the special conditions are required in order not to degenerate; As for online shopping, once bought counterfeit or expired drugs, patients bear the economic losses in addition, may affect life safety . "

Experts:

Professor Xu Binghe Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Cancer Hospital, Beijing Union Medical College and deputy director of medical diagnosis and treatment of breast disease, deputy director of the National Drug Research Base of Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Leader, Professor; part-time State Food and Drug Administration new drug review experts, the National Pharmacopoeia Committee, China Association of Clinical Oncology Cancer Committee of Cooperation Committee of the Standing Committee and vice chairman of breast cancer, sarcoma, chemotherapy, deputy director of the Professional Committee, the Beijing Association of Integrative Medicine, vice chairman of Committee of the tumor , Academic Committee of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, National Science and Technology Progress Award and Technology Invention Award, Judges and other staff. "Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology", "Chinese Journal of Cancer," Journal of the Editorial Board.