Medicine & USMLE

Trastuzumab

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Oncology Pharm
  1. Bleomycin
  2. Dactinomycin, Actinomycin D
  3. Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin
  4. Azathioprine, 6-MP
  5. Cladribine
  6. Cytarabine
  7. Busulfan
  8. Cyclophosphamide, Ifosfamide
  9. Nitrosoureas
  10. Paclitaxel
  11. Vincristine, Vinblastine
  12. Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Oxaliplatin
  13. Etoposide, Teniposide
  14. Irinotecan, Topotecan
  15. Bevacizumab
  16. Erlotinib
  17. Cetuximab, Panitumumab
  18. Imatinib, Dasatinib
  19. Rituximab
  20. Bortezomib, Carfilzomib
  21. Trastuzumab
  22. Dabrafenib, Vemurafenib
  23. Raloxifene and Tamoxifen
  24. Hydroxyurea
  25. Procarbazine

Summary

Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody against HER-2/neu, a tyrosine kinase receptor that is overexpressed in HER-2 positive breast cancer. As a result, trastuzumab is an effective treatment for HER-2 positive breast cancer. It can also be used in the treatment of gastric cancer. Finally, patient’s taking trastuzumab are at risk of developing cardiotoxicity.

Key Points

  • Trastuzumab
    • Mechanism
      • Monoclonal antibody against HER-2/neu (c-erbB2)
        • HER-2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor
        • Trastuzumab helps with killing cancer cells that overexpress HER-2
          • Inhibits HER-2 initiated cellular signaling and causes antibody-dependent cytotoxicity
    • Clinical use
      • HER-2 positive breast cancer
      • Gastric cancer 
    • Adverse effects
      • Cardiotoxicity