A new targeted therapy for resistant HER2+ breast cancers
Background
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Australia and the second most common cancer to cause death in women. HER2+ breast cancer is an aggressive type of breast cancer that is currently treated with anti-HER2 targeted therapies. Unfortunately, resistance often develops to these therapies which leads to metastatic breast cancer that is usually fatal. Currently, there are no curative treatments available once resistance developed.
About the Project
This project will repurpose an existing cancer drug, Entrectinib, to treat HER2+ breast cancers that are resistant to current anti-HER2 targeted therapies. Entrectinib is currently used to treat other cancers, including some lung cancers, and presents an exciting new avenue to treat these resistant breast cancers.
Impact
If successful, this study will provide the evidence needed to progress Entrectinib into clinical trials to improve the outcomes of people with HER2+ breast cancers. As Entrectinib is already approved to treat other cancers, this repurposing for breast cancer could be rapidly implemented into clinical practice. Entrectinib may also have additional benefits such as targeting, or even preventing, brain metastases arising from the breast cancer.