Trastuzumab

Abstract

Herceptin is a genetically engineered monoclonal antibody targeting the HER2 receptor which is overexpressed in about 25% of all breast cancers. By various mechanisms action tumor growth is blocked while chemosensitivity can be increased. With a standard loading dose of 4 mg/kg and thereafter 2 mg/kg weekly Herceptin is approved for first line treatment of HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer in combination with chemotherapy or for 2nd and 3nd line treatment as single agent. Cardiac side effects may occur but are reversible in most cases with adequate treatment. Current clinical trials are evaluating the cardiac risk in detail and try to find further cytotoxic substances to combine with Herceptin in order to extend approval for adjuvant treatment.