What is Herceptin (trastuzumab) - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Last updated date: March 3, 2017.

A recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). After binding to HER2 on the tumor cell surface, trastuzumab induces an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against tumor cells that overexpress HER2. HER2 is overexpressed by many adenocarcinomas, particularly breast adenocarcinomas.

National Cancer Institute. NCI Drug Dictionary. Internet. Accessed on March 3, 2017.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Last updated date: March 3, 2017.

Is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that recognizes the HER-2/neu receptor that is overexpressed in 20% of breast cancers.
Used with chemotherapy, it improves the response rate in women with breast cancer whose cells are c-erbB2-positive. Patients treated with trastuzumab have an increased risk of congestive cardiac failure, particularly if they have also received anthracyclines.

Woodruff R. Palliative medicine evidence-based symptomatic and supportive care for patients with advanced cancer. Fourth edition. Oxford University Press, 2004. (p. 444)

To cite

Herceptin (trastuzumab). IAHPC Pallipedia. https://pallipedia.org/herceptin-trastuzumab. Accessed