Meant to be.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (aka DS-8201) is an antibody conjugate, much like the better-established Kadcyla, that links a HER2-targeted antibody (trastuzumab) to a cytotoxic agent, in this case a topoisomerase I inhibitor (deruxtecan). Enter another study of patients with HER2(+) cancer refractory to Kadcyla. The single arm phase 2 DESTINY trial established an objective response in over 60% of 134 patients enrolled, with a median duration of response of over 16 months. This is especially impressive when noting the median(!) number of previous therapies was six. But it’s not all good news. Intriguingly, nearly one is six enrollees developed interstitial lung disease. TBL: Alternative HER2-antibody + cytotoxic chemo conjugates show promising retained efficacy as even seventh-line treatment. | Modi, N Engl J Med 2019