lapatinib + chemotherapy

Lapatinib + chemotherapy refers to the use of **lapatinib**, a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting both epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/HER1) and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2), in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent, most commonly **capecitabine**. This combination is primarily utilized for patients with advanced or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have progressed on prior therapies including anthracyclines, taxanes, and trastuzumab. Lapatinib blocks the intracellular tyrosine kinase domains of EGFR and HER2, thereby inhibiting tumor cell growth. Clinical studies have demonstrated that adding lapatinib to capecitabine significantly improves progression-free survival and reduces the risk of disease progression versus chemotherapy alone[2][3][4][1]. The combination may also include other chemotherapy agents, such as paclitaxel, depending on the specific protocol[1].