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Refractory lung metastasis from breast cancer treated with multidisciplinary therapy including an immunological approach

Abstract

A suggestive case of metastatic disease from breast cancer is reported. The HER-2-positive tumor was refractory to several agents, including anti-HER-2 therapy, trastuzumab, and lapatinib. After re-induction of trastuzumab in combination with activated natural killer (NK) cell injection therapy, tumor markers decreased, and finally a synergistic effect of taxane and capecitabine led to treatment response. This case suggests that multidisciplinary therapy including an immunological approach might be a breakthrough in the treatment of refractory disease.

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We obtained consent for publication in print and electronically from the patient’s husband.

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Correspondence to Masakazu Toi.

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Takada, M., Terunuma, H., Deng, X. et al. Refractory lung metastasis from breast cancer treated with multidisciplinary therapy including an immunological approach. Breast Cancer 18, 64–67 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-010-0198-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-010-0198-5

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Metastasis
  • Natural killer cell
  • Chemotherapy
  • Trastuzumab