TREATMENT WITH ANTI-ErbB2 ANTIBODIES

Abstract

The present invention concerns dosages for treatment of human cancer patients with an anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) antibody.

1 . A method for the treatment of a human patient diagnosed with breast cancer characterized by overexpression of ErbB2, comprising the steps of administering to the patient an initial dose of 8 mg/kg of the anti-ErbB2 antibody; and administering to the patient a plurality of subsequent doses of the antibody in an amount that is 6 mg/kg wherein the doses are separated in time from each other by three weeks. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody binds to the extracellular domain of the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said antibody binds to epitope 4D5 within said domain. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said antibody is humanized 4D5 anti-ErbB2 antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  4 , further comprising administering an effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is a taxoid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said taxoid is paclitaxel or docetaxel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said taxoid is paclitaxel. 
     
     
         9 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the antibody is conjugated to a cytotoxic agent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein said antibody is administered by intravenous injection.