Trastuzumab, also known by the brand name Herceptin, is a medication used to treat certain types of breast cancer and stomach cancer. It's particularly effective for cancers that produce a large amount of a protein called HER2. HER2 stands for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. This protein promotes the growth of cancer cells. In some cancers, high levels of HER2 are present, which makes the cancer more aggressive and harder to treat.
Trastuzumab is a type of drug known as a monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made molecules designed to attach to specific targets in the body. In the case of trastuzumab, the target is the HER2 protein. By binding to HER2, trastuzumab helps to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells.
The way trastuzumab works can be understood in a few steps:
1. **Targeting Cancer Cells:** Trastuzumab finds and attaches itself to the HER2 proteins on the surface of cancer cells.
2. **Blocking Growth Signals:** By binding to HER2, trastuzumab blocks the signals that tell cancer cells to grow and divide.
3. **Marking Cancer Cells for Destruction:** Trastuzumab also flags the cancer cells for destruction by the body's immune system.Trastuzumab is administered through an intravenous (IV) infusion, meaning it is given directly into a vein. The treatment is usually given once every one to three weeks, depending on the specific treatment plan and how the patient responds to the medication.
Like all medications, trastuzumab can cause side effects. Some common side effects include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and infections. More serious side effects can also occur, such as heart problems. Because of the risk of heart issues, doctors will monitor heart function before and during treatment with trastuzumab.
Trastuzumab has significantly improved the outcomes for many people with HER2-positive cancers. Before the development of this drug, HER2-positive breast cancer was considered more difficult to treat and had a poorer prognosis. Trastuzumab has changed that, offering many patients a much better chance of successful treatment and longer survival.
The discovery and development of trastuzumab were major advancements in cancer treatment. It represents a targeted therapy approach, which aims to attack cancer cells specifically while causing less damage to normal cells. This is different from traditional chemotherapy, which can affect both cancerous and healthy cells, leading to more widespread side effects.
Trastuzumab is often used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. This combined approach can help to further improve treatment effectiveness and outcomes.
In summary, trastuzumab (Herceptin) is a targeted cancer treatment that works by binding to the HER2 protein on cancer cells, thereby slowing their growth and helping the immune system destroy them. It's a crucial drug for treating HER2-positive breast and stomach cancers and has been a game-changer in improving survival rates and the quality of life for many cancer patients.
Have any queries, book a consultation with our Oncology Clinical Specialist
Trastuzumab
Trastuzumab, also called Herceptin, is a medicine used to treat certain cancers by targeting a specific protein called HER2. Here's how it works :
1. **Finding the Target:** Some cancer cells have too much of a protein called HER2 on their surface. This protein makes the cancer grow faster. Trastuzumab is designed to find and stick to these HER2 proteins.
2. **Blocking the Signal:** Once trastuzumab attaches to the HER2 proteins, it blocks the signals that tell the cancer cells to grow. This helps to slow down or stop the cancer from getting bigger.
3. **Calling for Help:** Trastuzumab also acts like a flag. By sticking to the cancer cells, it helps the body’s immune system recognize these cells as harmful. The immune system can then attack and destroy the cancer cells.
4. **Administering the Medicine:** Trastuzumab is given through an IV, which means it goes directly into your bloodstream. This is done at a clinic or hospital.
In summary, trastuzumab works by finding and sticking to the HER2 protein on cancer cells, blocking their growth signals, and helping the immune system destroy them. This makes it a powerful tool for treating cancers that have too much HER2.
Have any queries, book a consultation with our Oncology Clinical Specialist