title: Controversies in the use of adjuvant trastuzumab (Herceptin).
abstract: Over-expression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein, amplification of the HER2 gene or both occur in 15-25% of breast cancers and are associated with aggressive tumour behaviour. Trastuzumab (Herceptin), a humanized murine monoclonal antibody against the HER2 protein, has been shown to benefit patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer when administered alone or in combination with chemotherapy. When to start therapy, the duration of treatment, adjuvant chemotherapy regimens and cardiotoxicity issues are examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pickering
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000068878:Trastuzumab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab