Trastuzumab
TRASTUZUMAB/HERCEPTIN
INTRODUCTION:
- A recombinant humanized unarmed monoclonal antibody against Human Epidermal Growth Receptor-2-protein (HER2)
- Shows better response in combination with paclitaxel.
MODE OF ACTION:
Trastuzumab mediates Antibody-Dependent Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC):
- After binding to HER2 on tumour cell surface, trastuzumab induces ADCC against tumour cells that overexpress HER2.
- Also, once bound to Fc domain of trastuzumab, NK cells release substances that perforate tumour cell membrane and promote cell death.
INDICATIONS:
Approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:
- Adenocarcinoma of stomach or gastro oesophagal junction.
- Metastasized HER-2 positive conditions, who have not already been treated for metastatic cancer.
- HER-2 (+ve) Breast cancer.
- HER2 overexpressed by many adenocarcinomas, particularly breast adenocarcinomas.
- HER2 protein overexpression, HER2 gene amplification, or both, occur in approximately 15-25% of breast cancers, associated with aggressive behaviour in tumour.
For women with breast cancer with HER2 overexpression:
- Adjuvant therapy (before/after/in combination) with established chemotherapeutic agents.
- Eg: Anthracyclines & Taxanes, surgery & radiation treatment.
- Improves survival benefit.
ADVERSE EFFECT:
- Diarrhoea.
- Constipation.
- Heartburn.
- Loss of appetite.
- Back, bone, joint, or muscle pain.
- Insomnia.
- Numbness, burning or tingling in arms, hands, feet, or legs.
- Changes in appearance of nails.
- Cardiomyopathy.
- Sore throat, fever, chills, difficulty urinating, pain when urinating, and other signs of infection.
- Nosebleeds and other unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Excessive tiredness.
- Pale skin.
LATEST NEW DRUG:
- Ado-trastuzumab mertansine – Conjugate of trastuzumab (monoclonal antibody against her-2) & mertansine (microtubule inhibitor).
- Approved for HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer treatment.
Exam Question
- Trastuzumab has a specific activity in a subset of female breast cancers.
- Trastuzumab shows a better response in combination with paclitaxel.
- Trastuzumab is used in metastatic breast cancer.
- Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody produced by injecting HER-2 antigen.
- Trastuzumab causes dilated cardiomyopathy.
Don’t Forget to Solve all the previous Year Question asked on Trastuzumab
