“Trastuzumab deruxtecan is a model because we really managed to work together to accelerate and ensure that this drug reached patients very quickly. Today, even for patients who have a lower expression of Her2 we have a truly effective therapy. The alliance with AstraZeneca was born in 2019 with the aim of synergizing the two characteristics of the companies: the medical-scientific and technological experience of Daiichi Sankyo and the global oncology experience of AstraZeneca. We came together both to accelerate the development of a very important drug, an innovative technology, that of trastuzumab deruxtecan, and to speed up its diffusion in all countries, worldwide. Naturally, to also speed up access to the drug, synergy has been achieved not only with AstraZeneca, but also with other players in the health system: institutions, regulatory bodies and patient associations.” Mauro Vitali, Head of Oncology of Daiichi Sankyo Italia, said this to Adnkronos Salute, during an event today in Milan on early diagnosis and targeted therapies for metastatic breast cancer with low expression of the Her2 protein (Her2 low).
The trastuzumab deruxtecan therapy has just received authorization for reimbursement also in patients with Her2 low metastatic breast cancer. They are patients who “express low levels of Her2, which is a protein, a receptor found on tumor cells – explains Vitali – Trastuzumab deruxtecan is the first therapy, that is, the first monoclonal antibody drug, drug-conjugated, capable of targeting these patients and these cells. It is a technology – he clarifies – which targets these receptors in a very precise and very selective way (recognized by trastuzumab, ed.) and internalizes what is the chemotherapy (deruxtecan, ed.) which, naturally, kills the tumor cell. The synergy with AstraZenca “is very important – concludes Vitali – so it will continue and will not only continue with trastuzumab deruxtecan but also with another molecule which is datapotamab”.
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