Tag Archives: Genentech

What is Perjeta, a breast cancer drug?

Perjeta is Pertuzumab

Perjeta is Pertuzumab

  • It is a targeted therapy to be used before surgery and in combination with other HER2 postive breast cancer drugs such as Herceptin (trastuzumab).
  • Perjeta has a different way of working than the other HER2 positive breast cancer medications.
  • Pertuzumab is a monoclonal antibody (like trastuzumab). The first of its class in a line of agents called “HER dimerization inhibitors.”
  • Both Perjeta and Herceptin target HER2 but work in complementary ways.  The combination may increase the death of cancer cells.
  • Perjeta is contraindicated in pregnancy.
  • FDA approved for Genentech (makers of Herceptin, too) on September 12, 2013.
  • Before surgery usage is called neoadjuvant or now called primary systemic therapy.

What is Trastuzumab – a breast cancer drug?

Herceptin

Herceptin is Trastuzumab for breast cancer

  • Trastuzumab has a trade name of Herceptin.
  • It is a monoconal antibody that interferes with the HER2/neu receptor.
  • Her proteins stimulate cell proliferation.  In certain types of breast cancers, HER2 is over expressed and causes the cancer cell to reproduce uncontrollably.
  • Trastuzumab is associated with cardiac dysfunction in 2-7% of cases.  Regular cardiac screening with an echocardiogram or MUGA scan is commonly undertaken during the trastuzumab treatment duration.
  • Optimal treatment duration of Herceptin isn’t known but one year of treatment is generally accepted as the optimum length of therapy based on clinical trials.
  • FDA approval was received in 1998 by Genentech with UCLA.

HER2 positive breast cancers vs. HER-2 negative

HER2 positive breast cancers have a worse prognosis.  HER2 positive breast cancers are likely to have high proliferative rate, positive axillary lymph nodes, and decreased expression extrogen and progesterone receptors.

Of invasive breast cancers what percentage are HER2 positive?

15-20% of invasive breast cancers are HER2 positive.