Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
Although it is relatively rare in the United States, it is more common in other parts of the world, especially in Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe.
The disease occurs when cancerous cells form in the lining of the stomach. Early symptoms may include bloating, nausea, and stomach pain, but these can easily be mistaken for other conditions.
As the cancer progresses, it can cause weight loss, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
While surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are all commonly used to treat stomach cancer, a new drug has recently emerged as a promising treatment option.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at this life-saving drug and how it works to fight stomach cancer.
What is the drug and how does it work?
The drug, known as trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), is a type of targeted therapy that is designed to attack cancer cells in a more precise way than traditional chemotherapy.
T-DXd works by targeting a protein called HER2, which is found on the surface of some cancer cells, including those that cause stomach cancer.
HER2 is involved in cell growth and division, and when it is overactive, it can cause cancerous cells to grow and spread more rapidly.
By attaching itself to HER2, T-DXd is able to deliver a toxic payload directly to the cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The toxic payload kills the cancer cells, preventing them from continuing to grow and spread throughout the body.
How effective is T-DXd?
The results of a recent clinical trial, known as the DESTINY-Gastric01 study, showed that T-DXd was highly effective in treating patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer.
The study, which involved 187 patients from Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan, found that T-DXd was able to shrink tumors in 51% of patients, while another 24% had stable disease (meaning their tumors did not grow or shrink).
The median progression-free survival, or the amount of time patients lived without their cancer getting worse, was 5.6 months.
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These results are particularly impressive given that many patients in the trial had already undergone treatment with multiple lines of therapy, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
What are the side effects of T-DXd?
As with any cancer treatment, T-DXd can cause side effects. The most common side effects of T-DXd include:.
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Changes in taste
- Anemia
- Low white blood cell count
- Low platelet count
- Increased risk of infection
More serious side effects, such as lung damage and heart problems, can also occur, although these are relatively rare.
Who is a good candidate for T-DXd?
T-DXd is currently approved for use in patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer who have received at least two lines of prior therapy.
It may also be an option for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, although this is not the focus of this article.
If you have been diagnosed with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer, talk to your doctor about whether T-DXd might be a good treatment option for you.
Conclusion
Stomach cancer is a serious disease that requires aggressive treatment.
While surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have long been the standard treatment options, a new drug called T-DXd is now offering hope to patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer.
T-DXd works by targeting a specific protein found on some cancer cells, allowing it to deliver a toxic payload directly to the cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.
Clinical trials have shown that T-DXd can be highly effective in shrinking tumors and extending progression-free survival in patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer.
As with any cancer treatment, T-DXd has potential side effects, which your doctor will discuss with you prior to beginning treatment.
However, for many patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer, T-DXd is a promising new treatment option that offers the potential for improved outcomes and a better quality of life.
