[Trastuzumab (Herceptin)].
The HER 2/neu protein is thought to be a unique and useful molecular target for antibody therapy of cancers overexpressing the HER 2/neu gene. The recombinant humanized anti-HER 2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) has been available for clinical use in metastatic breast cancer in Japan since June 2001. Some breast cancer patients have responded to trastuzumab alone. A phase III study showed significant efficacy of combination use with paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel alone. Trastuzumab has some toxicities including infusion reaction and cardiotoxicity. It is very rare that infusion reaction manifests lethally. Although trastuzumab should not be concurrently used with an anthracycline, cardiotoxicity was also identified in patients treated with trastuzumab alone. The cumulative dose of anthracycline has not yet been identified as a risk factor, but patients who have received a high cumulative dose should be treated with special caution. In this article, the details of this novel biologic agent are reviewed from basic and clinical studies.
Tokuda
Yutaka
Y
Department of Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
Suzuki
Yasuhiro
Y
Saitou
Yuuki
Y
Ohta
Masatoshi
M
Tajima
Tomoo
T
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017239:Paclitaxel; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab