NEW DRUGS Lapatinib (Tykerb) For Advanced Breast Cancer

NEW DRUGS Lapatinib (Tykerb) For Advanced Breast Cancer The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lapatinib (Tykerb, GlaxoSmithKline), a targeted anticancer treatment, to be used in combination with the cancer drug capecitabine (Xeloda, Roche) for patients with advanced metastatic breast HER2-positive cancer. The combination treatment is indicated for women who have received prior therapy with other cancer drugs, including an anthracycline, a taxane, and trastuzumab (Herceptin, Genentech). Lapatinib, a molecular entity, is a kinase inhibitor that helps to deprive tumor cells of signals needed to grow. Lapatinib is available in 250-mg tablets. An undivided dose of 1,250 mg should be taken orally once daily for 21 days and in combination with capecitabine on days one to 14 of a 21-day cycle. (Source: FDA, March 13, 2007.)