Trastuzumab Re-Introduction with FOLFIRI for Treatment of HER2 Overexpression-Advanced Gastric Adenocarcinoma Following Failure of Other Trastuzumab-Based Chemotherapy Regimens

A 67-year-old man diagnosed with HER2 overexpression advanced gastric adenocarcinoma and metastasis to liver and lungs was admitted for tertiary care. He received a third line chemotherapy that consists of trastuzumab combined with FOLFIRI regimen (irinotecan plus 5-FU/LV) following a disease relapse after an initial successful response to a combination of 5FU + oxaliplatin and trastuzumab. The patient showed a favorable and prolonged response to it. In addition the chemotherapy was well tolerated and devoid of remarkable side effects. The response to trastuzumab + FOLFIRI was assessed clinically and through CT scan imaging and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. This case report shows that firstly the combination of FOLFIRI and trastuzumab could be tested as another regimen in metastatic gastric cancer, and, secondly, that in this disease, like in metastatic breast cancer, the continuation of trastuzumab after an initial progression under this antibody could be tested in order to improve the efficacy of the treatment Trastuzumab re-introduction with FOLFIRI for treatment of HER2 overexpression-advanced gastric adenocarcinoma following failure of other trastuzumab-based chemotherapy regimens. Corresponding author.