This breakthrough builds on the legacy of the 2005 HERA trial, which showed that adding trastuzumab to chemotherapy halved the relapse risk in HER2-positive breast cancer patients.

The APHINITY trial, led by the Jules Bordet Institute, has demonstrated that a dual targeted therapy combining trastuzumab and pertuzumab with chemotherapy significantly improves overall survival in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer with lymph node involvement, after more than 11 years of follow-up.

Both the APHINITY and HERA studies, involving nearly 9,000 women, highlight the importance of collaborative clinical research in providing access to innovative treatments within a rigorous scientific framework.

Jonathan Cimino, Clinical Director of Research at Brussels University Hospital, announced a major breakthrough in HER2-positive breast cancer care based on the APHINITY trial presented at ESMO 2025.

The trial results indicate a 2.7% increase in overall survival with the dual therapy, a seemingly modest figure that nonetheless has a profound impact by extending lives and renewing hope for thousands of patients.