Herceptin

Brand name: Herceptin

Chemical name: Trastuzumab

Class: HER2 (human epidermal receptor 2) inhibitor targeted therapy. Tykerb is another HER2 inhibitor.

How it works: HER2 inhibitors work against HER2-positive breast cancers by blocking the ability of the cancer cells to receive chemical signals that tell the cells to grow.

Uses: Herceptin typically is used to:

• treat metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer
• reduce the risk of early-stage, HER2-positive disease coming back after surgery and other treatments as part of a regimen with chemotherapy medicines
• shrink large, advanced-stage, HER2-positive cancers before surgery

How it's given: Herceptin is given intravenously.

Additional information: While Herceptin blocks the HER2 protein on the surface of cancer cells, Tykerb blocks the protein inside the cell.

Side effects:

• weakening of the heart muscle
• low white blood cell count
• diarrhea
• anemia
• abdominal pain

Read more about Herceptin.

Recent Research News on Herceptin

Herceptin Plus Chemo Before Surgery Better Than Chemo Alone for HER2-Positive Locally-Advanced Disease

Experimental Combo of Herceptin and Maytansine May Help Treat Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Timing of Herceptin Influences Risk of Recurrence