Research Discovery: A New Dual-drug Treatment for Colorectal Cancer

Aug 7 12:05pm | Jasmine Souers | @jasminesouers

Researchers have made important progress in treating colorectal cancer (CRC) by combining two drugs, tucatinib and trastuzumab, to target a specific type of cancer called HER2-positive CRC. This breakthrough could save lives and improve patient outcomes.

What Is HER2-Positive CRC

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the digestive system. Some CRC cases are classified as HER2-positive, meaning they have high levels of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This protein makes cancer cells grow and spread faster.

How the New Treatment Works

Scientists built on earlier research to test a combination of tucatinib, a targeted cancer drug, and trastuzumab, a type of monoclonal antibody (a lab-made protein that helps the immune system fight cancer). This study, called MOUNTAINEER, tested how well these drugs work together to block HER2 and stop cancer cells from growing and spreading.

Key Findings

Many patients in the study improved:

Some had their tumors shrink.
Others had their disease stabilize.

These results have led to better survival rates and a higher quality of life for people with HER2-positive metastatic CRC (CRC that has spread to other parts of the body).

Community Impact

This research led to the first-ever U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment specifically for HER2-positive CRC. It marks a major change in how this cancer is treated, offering new hope to patients and their families.

This dual-drug therapy has transformed the standard of care for HER2-positive CRC. It provides a more effective treatment option, helping patients live longer and with a better quality of life.

Researchers: T. Bekaii Saab, M.D., and C. Wu, M.D.

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