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Exceptional responses to pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel in human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 high expressing salivary duct carcinomas
Author(s) -
Park Jong Chul,
Ma T. Martin,
Rooper Lisa,
Hembrough Todd,
Foss Robert D.,
Schmitt Nicole C.,
Sawhney Rishi,
Flanders Aaron,
Kang Hyunseok
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.25392
Subject(s) - pertuzumab , trastuzumab , salivary duct carcinoma , medicine , docetaxel , oncology , salivary gland , carcinoma , chemotherapy , cancer , breast cancer
Background Alterations in the human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 (HER2) pathway have been identified in a subset of salivary duct carcinomas. Dual HER2 inhibition with trastuzumab and pertuzumab has superior antitumor efficacy to trastuzumab monotherapy in HER2‐positive breast cancer, yet its efficacy in HER2‐positive salivary duct carcinoma is unknown. Methods We report 2 cases of exceptional responses of HER2‐positive salivary duct carcinomas to dual HER2 blockade and docetaxel combination and their molecular characteristics. Results A 54‐year‐old man with recurrent metastatic HER2 expressing salivary duct carcinoma of the parotid gland after definitive concurrent chemoradiation achieved a complete response (CR) after 6 cycles of trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and docetaxel (TPH). A 42‐year‐old woman with HER2‐positive salivary duct carcinoma of the parotid gland with bone and liver metastases had CR with TPH and remains in remission on maintenance trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Conclusion Dual HER2 blockage resulted in CR in patients with HER expressing salivary duct carcinoma and warrants further evaluation in this patient population.