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- Title
Role of trastuzumab in the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer.
- Authors
Haq, Bushra; Geyer, Charles E.
- Abstract
Amplification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene occurs in 18-23% of invasive breast carcinomas and is associated with a worse prognosis. This novel transforming gene was identified in 1985, and in 1987 HER2 amplification was demonstrated to be central to the aggressive, malignant phenotype of these cancers and a significant predictor of both time to relapse and overall survival. These observations led to the development of the first monoclonal antibody targeting the extracellular domain of HER2, trastuzumab (Herceptin®, Genentech and Hoffman LaRoche, Switzerland), which was approved by the US FDA for metastatic breast cancer in 1998. In 2005, results from four major trastuzumab adjuvant trials demonstrated a marked reduction in risk of recurrence, and trastuzumab is now an essential component of the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer. Concerns regarding cardiac safety and mechanisms of resistance to trastuzumab remain important issued and are being addressed in ongoing research efforts.
- Subjects
TRASTUZUMAB; EPIDERMAL growth factor; BREAST cancer; ADJUVANT treatment of cancer; HER2 gene; CANCER treatment
- Publication
Women's Health (17455057), 2009, Vol 5, Issue 2, p135
- ISSN
1745-5057
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2217/17455057.5.2.135