Exceptional responses to pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 high expressing salivary duct carcinomas

Jong Chul Park, T. Martin Ma, Lisa Rooper, Todd Hembrough, Robert D. Foss, Nicole C. Schmitt, Rishi Sawhney, Aaron Flanders, Hyunseok Kang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E100-E106
JournalHead and Neck
Volume40
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2018

Keywords

  • dual blockade
  • human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
  • human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
  • pertuzumab
  • salivary duct carcinoma
  • trastuzumab

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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