Subcutaneous trastuzumab: a review of its use in HER2-positive breast cancer

Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) is a humanized IgG₁ monoclonal antibody that is an efficacious treatment for HER2-positive breast and gastric cancers. Subcutaneous trastuzumab is a new formulation approved in the European Union for use in patients with early or metastatic breast cancer. In the randomized, open-label, multinational HannaH (enHANced treatment with NeoAdjuvant Herceptin) study of neoadjuvant/adjuvant trastuzumab in patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer, the pharmacokinetics of neoadjuvant subcutaneous trastuzumab were similar to those after intravenous administration, meeting the noninferiority criterion for mean predose trough concentrations, as assessed prior to surgery (primary pharmacokinetic endpoint). Trastuzumab blood concentrations throughout the dosing interval remained above those considered necessary for anticancer activity. In this study, the pathologic complete response rates (primary efficacy endpoint) were 45.4 and 40.7 % in the subcutaneous and intravenous administration groups, respectively, meeting a study noninferiority criterion. In the randomized, open-label, crossover, multinational PrefHer study of neoadjuvant/adjuvant or adjuvant trastuzumab in early HER2-positive breast cancer, subcutaneous administration of trastuzumab was preferred over intravenous administration by >85 % of patients, most commonly because it was time saving and induced less pain and discomfort. In the HannaH study, the tolerability profile of subcutaneous trastuzumab was similar to that of intravenous trastuzumab, except that the rate of serious adverse events was 21 % (vs. 12 % with intravenous administration), partly because of more infections with subcutaneous administration. Whether this finding is of any clinical significance should emerge from ongoing studies. On the evidence, subcutaneous trastuzumab is an effective and generally well-tolerated treatment option that is preferred by patients over intravenous administration.