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Kadcyla is now available for adults with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer who previously received trastuzumab (Herceptin) and a taxane.

Kadcyla comprises trastuzumab bound to emtansine (also called DM1), a chemotherapeutic.

In a Roche-funded phase 3 study, median overall survival for advanced HER2-positive breast cancer was 25.1 months with lapatinib plus capecitabine €“ the only currently licensed combination €“ and 30.9 months with Kadcyla.

Median progression-free survival was 6.4 and 9.6 months respectively. Response rates were 30.8 and 43.6 per cent respectively for the two treatments.

Patients treated with Kadcyla experienced fewer severe (grade 3 and 4) side-effects (41 per cent) than those who received lapatinib plus capecitabine (57 per cent). (N Engl J Med 2012; 367: 1783-1791)