[China Tech] Homemade Breast Cancer Medication Shows Positive Results in Trials

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A domestically made innovative breast cancer drug has shown promising results in clinical trials and is expected to be put to a bigger test soon.

Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, which led the multi-center clinical trial on the new drug, said expatriates are welcome if they are keen to take part in clinical trials.

The phase-II clinical trial for TQB2102, a HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, showed complete remission in 76.9 percent of patients, making it a promising new neoadjuvant therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer.

The most common cancer in women is breast cancer, which is 20 percent HER2-positive. It is aggressive and prone to relapse. Patients with tumors over 2cm or lymphatic metastasis can have surgery with neoadjuvant therapy.

Neoadjuvant therapy – chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation – can shrink tumors for surgery or removal. In some cases, neoadjuvant therapy can eliminate tumors, avoiding surgery.

Typically, chemotherapy doesn't work for everyone.

"This homemade innovative medicine brings new hope for HER2-positive patients," said research leader Dr Shao Zhimin.

"The phase-II clinical trial at five medical centers nationwide showed a higher rate of complete remission, so we will conduct a phase-III trial with more patients. We believe the new drug will help more breast cancer patients and boost China's global breast cancer treatment," he said.

The leading Journal of Clinical Oncology published the study.

If you want to consult about the clinical trial

Visit the breast surgery department of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center.

Address: 270 Dong'an Rd (Xuhui branch)

徐汇分院: 徐汇区东安路270号

4333 Kangxin Rd (Pudong branch)

浦东分院: 浦东新区康新公路4333号