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Radiation Therapy Followed by Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab for the Treatment of HER2 Positive Breast Cancer that has Spread to the Leptomeninges

Trial Status: active

This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of pertuzumab when given together with trastuzumab after radiation therapy and to see how well it works in treating patients with HER2 positive breast cancer that has spread to the leptomeninges. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Pertuzumab and trastuzumab are called targeted therapies because they work by attaching themselves to specific receptors on the surface of breast tumor cells, known as HER2 receptors. HER2 receptors can be found on normal cells, but can also be found in larger numbers on some tumor cells. When these targeted therapies attach to HER2 receptors, cell growth signals within the cell are blocked and the tumor cell may be marked for destruction by the immune system. This process allows pertuzumab and trastuzumab to help slow or stop the growth of breast cancer. Pertuzumab and trastuzumab target different areas on the HER2 receptor, so they are believed to work together more effectively when combined after radiation therapy. Giving pertuzumab and trastuzumab after radiation therapy may help treat patients with HER2 positive breast cancer that has spread to the leptomeninges.