Abstract: AIM: To observe the efficacy of trastuzumab in treating patients with HER-2 positive locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). METHODS: 228 HER-2 positive patients with unresectable locally advanced breast cancer patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. 115 patients received trastuzumab plus chemotherapy, 113 cases received chemotherapy alone. After 10 courses of treatment, the number of clinical and pathology complete remission and potentially eligible for surgery patients were observed. RESULTS: Compared with chemotherapy group, trastuzumab plus chemotherapy group had more higher proportion in complete remission(cCR)(89% in trastuzumab plus chemotherapy group and 77% in chemotherapy group), pathological complete response(pCR)(43% and 23% respectively) and breast and axillary lymph node complete remission(tpCR)(respectively 39% and 20%). Trastuzumab plus chemotherapy group had more chance to surgery and breast conservation. CONCLUSION: Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy is an effective schedule in the treatment of HER-2 positive locally advanced breast.

Key words: trastuzumab, breast cancer, chemotherapy