Trastuzumab
Herceptin® is used to treat metastaticThe term for a cancer that has spread beyond its point of origin. Metastatic disease is responsible for the majority of cancer deaths. and early-stage breast cancer and is also FDA-approved to treat metastatic gastric cancer in combination with other drugs. Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) is given both alone and in combination with other treatments. In many cases, combination treatment with chemotherapyTreatment of cancer patients with anticancer drugs. Commonly called 'chemo'. These drugs work by attacking cell growth or division. Often these agents are used in combination to take advantage of their different modes of attack on cell division. has been found to yield better results. Herceptin® is given via intravenous infusion in the arm or hand.1
Trastuzumab binds to the extracellular segment of the epidermal growth factorA substance that stimulates cell division. Growth factors are usually small proteins or steroid hormones. They may be secreted by the same cells on which they act or by cells that reside in a different part of the body than the target cells. Some examples of growth factors include estrogen, a growth factor for breast cells, and VEGF, a growth factor that causes the development of blood vessels. Several different anti-cancer treatments are designed to inhibit the activity of growth factors. receptor ( also called HER2, HER-2, HER2/neuAlso: erbB-2. A transmembrane growth factor receptor protein, found at very high levels on some breast and ovarian cancers and may be a prognostic factor in these types of cancer. The cancer treatment Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody selected to attack cells that express high levels of this protein on their surface.). The binding blocks signals that would otherwise result in cell division. The result is a reduction in reproduction of cells treated with the drug. Note that the image shown is a general structure of an antibodyAntibody molecules tightly bind to their targets (usually proteins) with great specificity. Antibody binding alerts the immune system to target the bound molecule for destruction. Specific antibodies can be made in the laboratory. . There are four proteins bound together in a 'Y' shape. The two top tips of the Y are where the antibody binds with its target. This means that each antibody molecule can bind to two identical target regions.1
The diagram above shows the 3D molecular structure of meditope-enabled Trastuzumab.
Common side effects associated with treatment with Trastuzumab are heavily infusion dependent, as they include: fever, chills, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Less common side effects include: myelosuppressionThe decreased activity of the blood cell precursors located in the bone marrow. Both red and white blood cells in the bloodstream originate from these cells which are often short-lived and are replaced constantly by rapidly dividing precursor stem cells. Chemotherapy agents, radiation and many other cancer treatments are designed to attack rapidly dividing cells and inhibit the activity of these normal bone marrow cells. Several side effects of cancer treatment, such as anemia and a decreased ability to fight infections (immunosuppression) are due to the effects of these treatments on bone marrow cells., cardiotoxicity and pulmonary toxicity.1
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