Open AccessTrastuzumab
Author(s) -
Boekhout Annelies H.,
Beijnen Jos H.,
Schellens Jan H.M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2010-0035
Subject(s) - trastuzumab , medicine , oncology , breast cancer , metastatic breast cancer , cardiotoxicity , monoclonal antibody , aromatase inhibitor , cancer , aromatase , chemotherapy , monoclonal , antibody , immunology
Trastuzumab is standard of care in the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)‐2 + early and advanced breast cancer. Recently, it has been approved for the treatment of HER‐2 + advanced gastric cancer. Trastuzumab is an IgG1 humanized monoclonal antibody administered by intravenous infusion on a weekly or three weekly schedule. In all registered indications, trastuzumab is almost always given in combination with chemotherapy. In hormonal receptor‐positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, trastuzumab can be combined with an aromatase inhibitor. Main toxicity is reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction, which in a minority of patients can become symptomatic, but in many patients is at least partly reversible. Long‐term safety needs to be further determined.