erlotinib + neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Erlotinib + neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an investigational combination regimen evaluated for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Erlotinib is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is frequently overexpressed in TNBC and associated with poor clinical outcomes. In this regimen, erlotinib is administered alongside standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy (typically 4-6 cycles) prior to surgical intervention, followed by a maintenance phase of erlotinib for 12 months. The rationale behind this combination is to exploit the EGFR signaling pathway dependency in TNBC cells to enhance the pathological complete response (pCR) rate. This specific clinical strategy was notably investigated in a Phase II trial led by the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Brand names

Tarceva

Other names

erlotinib plus neoadjuvant chemotherapyneoadjuvant erlotinib plus chemotherapyerlotinib + neoadjuvant chemotherapy-University of Kansas Medical Center-triple-negative breast cancer