title: Pertuzumab and breast cancer: another piece in the anti-HER2 puzzle.
abstract: The mechanism of action of pertuzumab, a recombinant anti-HER2 humanized monoclonal antibody, is complementary to trastuzumab's. On 8 June 2012, the Food and Drug Administration approved the combination of pertuzumab with trastuzumab and docetaxel as first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Furthermore, pertuzumab is the first drug to be approved in the neoadjuvant setting using a pathological complete response as an endpoint. Areas covered: The review provides insights into the main mechanisms of action of pertuzumab. In addition, it gives complete coverage of the landmark clinical and translational trials for this agent. Expert opinion: The new therapeutic algorithm in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced disease and the awaited results of the Aphinity trial are expected to impact the sequence of anti-HER2 treatment. Accordingly, the value of pertuzumab beyond progression needs to be properly studied. Furthermore, to improve the toxicity profile and efficacy of future treatment, new pertuzumab-based regimens are being investigated.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical and Biological Sciences , University of Udine , Udine , Italy.|b Department Oncology , University Hospital of Udine , Udine , Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gerratana
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical and Biological Sciences , University of Udine , Udine , Italy.|b Department Oncology , University Hospital of Udine , Udine , Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonotto
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical and Biological Sciences , University of Udine , Udine , Italy.|b Department Oncology , University Hospital of Udine , Udine , Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bozza
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical and Biological Sciences , University of Udine , Udine , Italy.|b Department Oncology , University Hospital of Udine , Udine , Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ongaro
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical and Biological Sciences , University of Udine , Udine , Italy.|b Department Oncology , University Hospital of Udine , Udine , Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fanotto
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical and Biological Sciences , University of Udine , Udine , Italy.|b Department Oncology , University Hospital of Udine , Udine , Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelizzari
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical and Biological Sciences , University of Udine , Udine , Italy.|b Department Oncology , University Hospital of Udine , Udine , Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Puglisi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; C485206:pertuzumab
keywords: Anti-HER2; HER2 positive breast cancer; clinical trials; pertuzumab