Precautions
So when you go to the herceptin sites it does not say it is chemo or not. It just talks about it being a targeted therapy or an additional therapy or adjunct therapy. So I went through the a/c high dose chemo and was too messed up from it to do the taxol. (nerve damage bad) So the doc started me on herceptin treatments every 3 wks.
Is Herceptin considered chemotherapy?
They include:
- feeling anxious or very low (depressed)
- changes to the way your kidneys work - you have regular blood tests to check for this
- liver problems that are very mild and unlikely to cause symptoms. ...
- dry mouth
- stiff arms or legs
- difficulty staying awake (drowsiness)
- sweating more than normal for you
- swollen or sore breasts
- feeling generally unwell (malaise)
What does Herceptin do to your body?
Trastuzumab, sold under the brand name Herceptin among others, is a monoclonal antibody used to treat breast cancer and stomach cancer. It is specifically used for cancer that is HER2 receptor positive. It may be used by itself or together with other chemotherapy medication. Trastuzumab is given by slow injection into a vein and injection just under the skin.
Is Herceptin and herclon same drug?
Immunotherapy medicines work by helping your immune system attack cancer cells. Several immunotherapy medicines are approved by the FDA to treat breast cancer, including Herceptin, Perjeta, and Kadcyla (immune targeted therapies), and Keytruda and Tecentriq (immune checkpoint inhibitors). Learn more about immunotherapies for breast cancer.
Is Herceptin chemotherapy or immunotherapy?
Is Herceptin a form of chemo?
No, Herceptin is not a chemo drug, it is a targeted therapy anticancer drug. Anticancer drugs can be divided into different groups: targeted therapy. chemotherapy (often called chemo)
Is Herceptin better than chemotherapy?
Patients treated with Herceptin had an approximate 50% reduced risk of a cancer recurrence, a second cancer, or death. Patients treated with Herceptin had a 33% reduced risk of death compared to those treated with chemotherapy only.
What are the long term side effects of Herceptin?
Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) is a targeted therapy medicine used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer....Women treated with Herceptin sometimes have serious side effects, including:heart failure.high blood pressure.joint pain.back pain.hot flashes.headache.diarrhea.
What type of cancer is treated with Herceptin?
Herceptin is the brand name of a medicine called trastuzumab. It's used to treat some types of breast cancer, oesophageal cancer and stomach cancer.
Will Herceptin cause hair loss?
Your hair may thin but you're unlikely to lose all your hair. This usually starts after your first or second cycle of treatment. It is almost always temporary and your hair will grow back when you finish your treatment.
What is the success rate of Herceptin?
At 10 years after treatment, disease-free survival also was better in women who were treated with Herceptin: 73.7% of the women who received chemotherapy plus Herceptin were alive without the cancer growing. 62.2% of the women who received chemotherapy alone were alive without the cancer growing.
How does Herceptin make you feel?
SIDE EFFECTS SEEN MOST OFTEN The most common side effects seen in treatment of adjuvant breast cancer with HERCEPTIN HYLECTA were tiredness, joint pain, diarrhea, injection site reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, rash, muscle pain, nausea, headache, swelling, flushing, fever, cough, and pain in extremity.
Does Herceptin make you gain weight?
Herceptin side effects Symptoms to watch for include swelling of the ankles or legs, shortness of breath, cough, or weight gain of more than 5 pounds in less than 24 hours. Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms.
Why is Herceptin only given for a year?
While 9 weeks of Herceptin was associated with fewer heart problems compared to 1 year of Herceptin, the difference in disease-free survival was small and the researchers said 1 year of Herceptin should remain the standard of care. Oct 29, 2018.
Can cancer spread while on Herceptin?
Herceptin works by attaching to the HER2 protein and blocking it from receiving growth signals. By blocking the signals, Herceptin can slow or stop the growth or spread of the cancer. Treating HER2-positive, early-stage breast cancer with Herceptin after surgery has been shown to lower the risk of recurrence.
Is Herceptin ever given without chemo?
Certain women age 70 to 80 may be able to skip chemotherapy after surgery for early-stage HER2-positive disease and be treated only with Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab), according to a study. The research was published online on Sept. 16, 2020, by the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
How long is a course of Herceptin?
Treatment with Herceptin generally lasts for 1 year unless side effects become unmanageable. Herceptin is only given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. * There are 3 ways Herceptin can be used: As part of a treatment course including the chemotherapy drugs doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and either paclitaxel or docetaxel ...
Does Herceptin work without chemo?
Certain women age 70 to 80 may be able to skip chemotherapy after surgery for early-stage HER2-positive disease and be treated only with Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab), according to a study. The research was published online on Sept. 16, 2020, by the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
How many lives has Herceptin saved?
The cumulative incremental life-years saved because of first-line trastuzumab use from 1999 to 2013 was estimated to be 156,413 (95% simulation interval 114,840-195,201).
How long can you be on Herceptin?
Treatment with Herceptin generally lasts for 1 year unless side effects become unmanageable.
What are the most common side effects of Herceptin?
The most common side effects seen in treatment of adjuvant breast cancer with HERCEPTIN HYLECTA were tiredness, joint pain, diarrhea, injection site reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, rash, muscle pain, nausea, headache, swelling, flushing, fever, cough, and pain in extremity.
What is herceptin used for?
Bottom line: Herceptin is a type of targeted therapy anticancer drug called a monoclonal antibody. Herceptin is used to treat cancers that are HER2 positive and is indicated for adjuvant breast cancer , metastatic breast cancer and metastatic gastric cancer. Herceptin works by binding to the HER2 receptor which prevents the number cells ...
How does herceptin work?
Herceptin works by binding to the HER2 receptor which prevents the number cells from multiplying which prevents further cancer growth, and also makes the cancer cells a target so that the immune system will destroy the cancer cell. References. https://www.drugs.com/pro/herceptin.html.
What is the name of the drug that targets HER2 receptors?
Herceptin is a type of targeted therapy anticancer drug called a monoclonal antibody. Herceptin works by targeting HER2 receptors to fight cancer cell growth.
What is HER2 positive?
Cancer is called HER2 positive (HER2 +) if you have HER2 gene amplification or HER2 receptor overexpression. Cancer that is HER2 positive can be treated with anticancer drugs that attach to and block the HER2 receptors, so slows cells multiplying and prevents cancer progression.
What is the role of HER2 receptors in the cell?
HER2 receptors control how a healthy cell grows, divides, and repairs itself. In some people the HER2 gene is faulty and there ends up being too many HER2 genes - this is called HER2 gene amplification. When there are a lot more HER2 genes, they make too many HER2 receptors - this is called HER2 receptor overexpression.
What is the name of the drug that matches the cancer cell receptor?
Herceptin is from a group of medicines called monoclonal antibodies, which are sometimes called biological drugs. Herceptin is an antibody that is created to match the cancer cell receptor called HER2, and attaches to it like a key fits a lock.
What is the treatment for tumor removal?
Herceptin is part of a combination treatment plan. Adjuvant treatment is a treatment after tumor removal surgery, so that it destroys any remaining cells that may have been left behind and so helps prevent recurrence.
What are the problems with herceptin?
HEART PROBLEMS. These include heart problems—such as congestive heart failure or reduced heart function—with or without symptoms. The risk for and seriousness of these heart problems were highest in people who received both HERCEPTIN and a certain type of chemotherapy (anthracycline).
What are the risks of HERCEPTIN HYLECTA?
These include heart problems—such as congestive heart failure or reduced heart function—with or without symptoms. The risk for and seriousness of these heart problems were highest in people who received both HERCEPTIN HYLECTA and a certain type of chemotherapy (anthracycline).
How long after herceptin can you use contraception?
HERCEPTIN may result in the death of an unborn baby or birth defects. Contraception should be used while receiving HERCEPTIN and for 7 months after your last dose of HERCEPTIN.
Does herceptin cause breast cancer?
Side Effects Seen Most Often With HERCEPTIN. Some patients receiving HERCEPTIN for breast cancer had the following side effects: Some patients receiving HERCEPTIN for metastatic stomach cancer had the following side effects: You should contact your doctor immediately if you have any of the side effects listed above.
How long before conception can you take herceptin?
Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential that exposure to Herceptin during pregnancy or within 7 months prior to conception can result in fetal harm.
What is an ARR in herceptin?
Severe administration-related reactions (ARRs), including hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis, have been reported with HERCEPTIN HYLECTA. Patients experiencing dyspnea at rest due to complications of advanced malignancy and comorbidities may be at increased risk of a severe or of a fatal ARR.
Can herceptin cause a ventricular dysfunction?
Herceptin can cause left ventricular cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, hypertension, disabling cardiac failure, cardiomyopathy, and cardiac death. Herceptin can also cause asymptomatic decline in LVEF. Discontinue Herceptin treatment in patients receiving adjuvant therapy and withhold Herceptin in patients with metastatic disease ...
Can HERCEPTIN HYLECTA cause LVEF?
HERCEPTIN HYLECTA can also cause asymptomatic decline in LVEF. Discontinue HERCEPTIN HYLECTA treatment in patients receiving adjuvant breast cancer therapy and withhold HERCEPTIN HYLECTA in patients with metastatic disease for clinically significant decrease in left ventricular function.
Can herceptin cause pulmonary toxicity?
Infusion Reactions; Pulmonary Toxicity. Herceptin administration can result in serious and fatal infusion reactions and pulmonary toxicity. Symptoms usually occur during or within 24 hours of Herceptin administration. Interrupt Herceptin infusion for dyspnea or clinically significant hypotension.
Can HERCEPTIN HYLECTA cause cardiac failure?
HERCEPTIN HYLECTA administration can result in sub-clinical and clinical cardiac failure. The incidence and severity was highest in patients receiving HERCEPTIN HYLECTA with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimens. In a pivotal adjuvant breast cancer trial of intravenous trastuzumab, one patient who developed CHF died of cardiomyopathy
Can herceptin cause oligohydramnios?
Exposure to Herceptin during pregnancy can result in oligohydramnios and oligohydramnios sequence manifesting as pulmonar y hypoplasia, skeletal ab normalities, and neonatal death. Advise patients of these risks and the need for effective contraception
What is the trade name for herceptin?
In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name Herceptin when referring to the generic drug name Trastuzumab. Drug type: Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody. (For more detail, see "How this drug works" section below).
How does Trastuzumab work?
Trastuzumab works by targeting the HER2/neu receptor on cancer cells.
How long does it take for a reaction to occur with trastuzumab?
Most of these events occur within 24 hours of infusion. However, delayed reactions have occurred. Trastuzumab should be used with caution in people with lung problems.
What is the generic name for Trastuzumab?
Generic name: Trastuzumab. Biosimilars: Herzuma®, Kanjinti®, Ogivri®, Ontruzant®. A biosimilar is a biologic medical product that is almost an identical copy of an original medication that is manufactured by a different pharmaceutical company. Chemocare.com uses generic names in all descriptions of drugs.
Does trastuzumab help with gastric cancer?
Treatment of gastric (stomach) cancer. It is not known whether or not trastuzumab may be effective in other cancers that may also have this HER-2/neu protein, including ovarian, colon, endometrial, lung, bladder, prostate, and salivary gland tumors.
Is there a relationship between the presence of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication?
There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication. The side effects of trastuzumab and their severity depend on whether the drug is given in combination with other medications.
Can you stop Trastuzumab?
Trastuzumab may be discontinued if symptoms of heart failure appear. Not all side effects are listed above. Some that are rare (occurring in less than 10% of patients) are not listed here. However, you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
What is the name of the drug that blocks cancer?
Trastuzumab is a targeted (biological) therapy. Targeted therapies block the growth and spread of cancer. They target and interfere with processes in the cells that help cancer grow. You may have a brand of trastuzumab called Herceptin.
What is the treatment for breast cancer?
This is known as neo-adjuvant or primary therapy. It may be used to slow down the growth of breast cancer to reduce the chance of it spreading to other parts of the body, or to help shrink a large breast cancer before surgery. It may be given with chemotherapy, and sometimes with another drug called pertuzumab (Perjeta).
What is the best treatment for secondary breast cancer?
Secondary breast cancer. Trastuzumab can be used to treat secondary breast cancer. This is when cancer cells from the breast have spread to other parts of the body such as the bones, lungs, liver or brain. 5.
How many cycles of trastuzumab before breast cancer surgery?
If you are having trastuzumab before surgery you will usually have four to six cycles.
What is the protein that stimulates breast cancer cells to grow?
Some breast cancer cells have a higher than normal level of a protein called HER2 on their surface, which stimulates them to grow. Around one in five invasive breast cancers (breast cancer that has the potential to spread to other parts of the body) have this and are called HER2 positive.
When to use Trastuzumab?
Trastuzumab can also be used when the breast cancer has come back and spread to the tissues and lymph nodes around the chest, neck and under the breastbone (known as locally advanced or regional recurrence ).
Can Trastuzumab be used for breast cancer?
Primary breast cancer. Trastuzumab can be used as a treatment for primary breast cancer (breast cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or the lymph nodes under the arm).
Why are drugs studied?
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Can Trastuzumab be used alone?
Trastuzumab is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat: Breast cancer that is HER2 positive (HER2+). It is used in patients with: Hormone receptor-negative or high-risk cancer. It is given: Docetaxel and carboplatin. Alone after combination therapy that included anthracycline chemotherapy.
What is herceptin used for?
Herceptin is what’s known as a targeted therapy. It’s used on breast cancers that test positive for human epidermal growth factor receptors (HER). The drug attaches to the receptors and stops cancer cells from growing and dividing. About 25 percent of breast cancers are HER2-positive.
How much does herceptin cost?
Herceptin therapy requires a significant time commitment. It also takes a lot of money. A year’s worth of Herceptin costs around $75,000. Because earlier trials involved 12 months of therapy, that’s been the standard of treatment.
What percentage of breast cancers are HER2 positive?
About 25 percent of breast cancers are HER2-positive. Dr. Dennis Citrin is a medical oncologist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Chicago. He told Healthline that the goal of Herceptin treatment is to reduce the probability of a later relapse and increase the probability of a cure. According to Citrin, most patients ...
How long does it take for herceptin to work?
Researchers say six months of Herceptin treatment for early stage breast cancer may be as effective as taking the drug for an entire year. Share on Pinterest. Some women with breast cancer may be able to cut Herceptin treatment in half. Researchers overseeing a phase III randomized clinical trial have concluded that six months ...
How many participants were in the Herceptin trial?
The study involved 4,088 participants with HER2-positive breast cancer. Herceptin, the brand name for trastuzumab, is used to treat all stages of HER2-positive breast cancer. But this trial focused on early stage disease. The women also received chemotherapy during the trial.
Why did 4 percent of women stop taking Herceptin?
Four percent stopped taking the drug early due to heart problems. Half the women received Herceptin therapy for 12 months. Disease-free survival in this group was also 89 percent at four years. Eight percent had to stop early.
Is herceptin good for breast cancer?
Herceptin is generally well tolerated. Other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy, cause side effects that can sometimes become intolerable. Herceptin also has some potential side effects, such as headache and nausea. But Citrin, who sees breast cancer patients exclusively, finds that most women tolerate the drug well.
What is Herceptin Hylecta?
Herceptin Hylecta (chemical name: trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk) is an injectable form of Herceptin. It is a combination of Herceptin and hyaluronidase, an enzyme that helps your body use the Herceptin.
How long does it take to get Herceptin?
The first dose of Herceptin takes about 90 minutes. After that, it only takes about 30 minutes to get other doses of Herceptin.
What is the name of the drug that is used after surgery?
after surgery as part of a treatment regimen that includes Adriamycin (chemical name: doxorubicin), Cytoxan (chemical name: cyclophosphamide), and either Taxol (chemical name: paclitaxel) or Taxotere (chemical name: docetaxel) after surgery as part of a treatment regimen with Taxotere and carboplatin.
What is the name of the drug used to treat HER2 breast cancer?
Leer esta página en español. Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) can be used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer that is either early-stage or advanced-stage/metastatic. Herceptin is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: to treat metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer to stop the cancer from growing.
What is the HER2 gene?
The HER2 gene makes a protein known as a HER2 receptor. HER2 receptors are like ears, or antennae, on the surface of all cells. These HER2 receptors receive signals that stimulate the cell to grow and multiply. But breast cancer cells with too many HER2 receptors can pick up too many growth signals.
How to treat HER2 breast cancer?
to treat earlier stages of HER2-positive breast cancer, either as part of a regimen with chemotherapy or alone after a chemotherapy regimen that includes an anthracycline, to reduce the risk of the breast cancer coming back (recurrence) ...
What does it mean when cancer cells have too many copies of genes?
When there are too many copies of these genes, doctors refer to it as "overexpression. ".