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UT Medical Center hosting breast cancer clinical trials

By Erica Shaffer - bio | email

Posted by Dave Dykema - email

TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - A new study that may give patients with the most aggressive form of breast cancer additional options to help fight their battle is going on at the University of Toledo Medical Center.

That's good news for Jennifer Brocky. Last year she was diagnoised with HER2-positive breast cancer.

"It was quiet a shock. It was devastating. But they get you going pretty quick with your treatment."

HER2-positive is the most aggressive form of breast cancer because it spreads more quickly to other parts of the body.

For Brocky, treatment included a medicine called Herceptin and chemotherapy.

But a new research called the CLEOPATRA Study is hoping to give those battling breast cancer one more form of defense.

Neither the doctor nor patient know which group will get the actual study medicine and which group will receive the placebo.

Dr. Iman Muhammad says the drug has already been tested for safety. This global study is to figure out how effective and how much of the drug patients should receive.

"Patients who are metastatic will be treated with the same two drugs, but in addition will be given pertuzumab, the study drug. What we are trying to see now is if this is a better drug than the accepted modality of therapy in the current time."

In a nutshell, the new medicine would help the current drugs work more efficently.

"It would help Herceptin in making the HER2-protein less active," says Dr. Muhammad.

Brocky wasn't able to be a part of the study but says she would have participated. She says constant research will help defeat breast cancer.

"Seeing the next drug being developed is very critical for us," says Brocky.

Dr. Muhammed hopes this medicine will give breast cancer patients more options in the future. She says the success of this drug will translate to improved survival, but new studies have to keep going.

"We're not done," Dr. Muhammad. "The work is not done yet."

To participate, you must be 18 or older, have HER2-Positive breast cancer, good cardiac function, and it must be your first time being treated for metastatic disease.

If you would like more information you can call 888-662-6728 or go to HER2STUDY.COM.

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