Trastuzumab, Herceptin

Trastuzumab, Herceptin

This is a patient friendly review of the cancer drug Herceptin (or, Trastuzumab), commonly used for HER2 positive breast cancer, often in conjuction with Perjeta (or Pertuzumab), even by injection (Phesgo); Herceptin can sometimes be used for stomach cancer or bowel cancer if the patient is HER2 positive.

Chemotherapy

This chemotherapy and cancer drugs article is about Trastuzumab (Herceptin) which was the first monoclonal antibody treatment for breast cancer.

It is licensed in the UK to treat advanced breast cancer in women who over-express the HER2 gene. HER2 is a growth factor found on the surface of cells that plays a key role in regulating cell growth. Some cancers produce extra HER2 receptors. This over-expression of HER2 causes cancer cells to grow, divide, and multiply more rapidly. Herceptin seeks out HER2 and attaches itself to the protein receptor on the surface of cells.

By binding to the cells, Herceptin has been shown to slow the growth and spread of tumours that have an overabundance of HER2 protein receptors. Herceptin is usually given intravenously in the outpatients department. It has been shown in studies to shrink tumours and extend women's survival by an average of about 13 months.

Side effects can include: weakening of the heart muscle, reduction of white blood cells (neutropenia), diarrhoea, anaemia, abdominal pain, infection or allergies. Some people receiving Herceptin with Adriamycin (doxorubicin) have experienced heart problems, because of the cardiac toxicity of both drugs. This combination is no longer recommended! Women who are pregnant are advised not to take Herceptin or Perjeta.

Herceptin is often given with the drug Perjeta (Pertuzumab). Although this was originally designed by Roche to be the follow up drug, after Herceptin had stopped working, it was immediately used from the outset with Herceptin, despite not performing well in the original Clinical Trial. Perjeta also targets the HER2 receptors.

Almost all women with HER2+ve breast cancer are given both drugs on the same day, increasingly by injection - this is called PHESGO.

Patients with HER2 breast cancer should read our article on 8 Natural Compounds shown in research to fight breast cancer

 

After Phesgo has ceased to work, women may be given Kadcyla, and then Enhertu.

 

Other articles that you may find interesting are:


  1. Diet for Chemotherapy ;

  2. Beneficial bacteria ;

  3. A-Z guide to complementary therapies;

  4. Your cancer, where you can read about everything from causes to cancer treatments to complementary therapies for your cancer.

  5. How to boost your immune system.

 

To return to the drug list, click here.

 


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  Approved by the Medical Board.  Click Here

 


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