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Perspectives on shorter durations of anti-HER2 therapy in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer: a patient survey

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Abstract

Purpose

Despite previous studies proposing shorter durations of anti-HER2 therapy for selected patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer (EBC), 12-months remains standard of care. A survey was performed to assess patient perspectives and willingness to participate in studies evaluating shorter durations of anti-HER2 therapy.

Methods

Patients with HER2-positive EBC completing or having previously completed anti-HER2 therapy, were recruited by healthcare professionals at The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre to participate in an anonymous online survey. The primary objective was to learn about patients’ perspectives on shorter durations (less than 12-months) of anti-HER2 therapy. Secondary objectives were to explore patients’ interest in clinical trials of shorter durations of anti-HER2 therapy and the degree of increased breast cancer risk they would accept with a shorter treatment duration.

Results

Responses were received from 94 eligible patients. Most patients received Trastuzumab alone (78%, 73/94), while 13% (12/94) received trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Side effects were experienced by 52% (46/89), the most common being; fatigue (61%, 28/46), myalgia (37%, 17/46), and diarrhea (24%, 11/46). Most patients (88%, 78/89) did not find treatment bothersome. Regarding perspectives on shorter durations of anti-HER2 therapy, most (79%, 74/94) respondents stated they would agree to less treatment if it were possible to receive fewer treatments with the same cancer benefits. 56% of patients were interested in clinical trials, however, about half stated they would not be accepting of any increase in breast cancer recurrence risk.

Conclusion

Trials to investigate who can safely and effectively be treated with shorter durations of anti-HER2 therapy are needed. This study provides important insights to patients’ perspectives on shorter durations of anti-HER2 treatment, and their concerns regarding potential increased cancer risk with less treatment.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code Availability

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Dr. Michelle Bradbury is a post-graduate year 4 resident in medical oncology at McMaster University and was involved in the study on a volunteer basis. This work was supported internally by the Rethinking Clinical Trials (REaCT) program at the Ottawa Hospital, which is supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation and its donors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    M. Bradbury

  2. Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    MF Savard, M. Clemons, J. Hilton & SF McGee

  3. Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada

    MF Savard, C. Stober, L. Clemons, M. Clemons, J. Hilton, L. Vandermeer & SF McGee

  4. Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    G. Pond

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  1. M. Bradbury
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  2. MF Savard
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  4. L. Clemons
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Contributions

MB, SM, MC, MS, LV, and JH were involved in designing the survey and preparing the protocol. LV, LC and CS collected the data and coordinated the study. MB, LC, MC and SM wrote the manuscript. All authors had full access to the data and took responsibility for the integrity of the data and accuracy of the data analysis. All authors were involved in the critical review of the manuscript and approval of the final version.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to SF McGee.

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Ethics approval was obtained by the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board.

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Completion of the survey implied consent to participate.

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Completion of the survey implied consent to publish aggregate data.

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Bradbury, M., Savard, M., Stober, C. et al. Perspectives on shorter durations of anti-HER2 therapy in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer: a patient survey. Breast Cancer Res Treat 206, 473–481 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-024-07302-0

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