Trastuzumab is a humanized, monoclonal antibody targeted against the extracellular domain of the c-erbB2/HER2/neu protein, a transmembrane receptor protein (structurally related to the Epidermal Growth Factor receptor) which is overexpressed in certain types of breast cancer. As a mediator of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, trastuzumab is preferentially toxic to HER2-expressing cancer cells. In combination with chemotherapy for treatment of metastatic, HER2 overexpressing breast cancer, trastuzumab has been reported to prolong survival. More recently, adjuvant therapy with trastuzumab has also been reported to increase disease-free survival.
Side effects seen with trastuzumab include significant cardiotoxicity, requiring careful ongoing monitoring, as well as pulmonary toxicity and infusion reactions.
| Source | Link | Revision Date | Access Date |
| Herceptin Prescribing Information | http://www.gene.com/gene/products/in...ogy/herceptin/ | 2008-May | 2008-June-04 |
| Sengupta PP, Northfelt DW, et al. Trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity: heart failure at the crossroads. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008 Feb;83(2):197-203 | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18241629 | 2008-June-04 | |
| Shepard HM, Jin P, et al. Herceptin.Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2008;(181):183-219 | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18071947 | 2008-June-04 | |
| Baselga J, Albanell J. Mechanism of action of anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies. Ann Oncol. 2001;12 Suppl 1:S35-41 | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11521720 | 2008-June-04 | |
| Viani GA, Afonso SL, et al. Adjuvant trastuzumab in the treatment of her-2-positive early breast cancer: a meta-analysis of published randomized trials. BMC Cancer. 2007 Aug 8;7:153 | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/7/153 | 2008-June-04 |
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