Trastuzumab

Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds HER2, a cell-surface receptor overexpressed in some cancers. It is used to treat certain HER2-positive breast and stomach cancers.

HER2: HER2 is a cell-surface receptor protein that regulates cell growth and is overexpressed in some cancers. Trastuzumab binds this receptor, the defining target of its anticancer action.
HER2-positive breast cancer: HER2-positive breast cancer is breast cancer in which tumor cells have amplified HER2 genes or elevated HER2 protein. Trastuzumab is used in early and advanced forms of this cancer.
Dennis Slamon: Dennis Slamon is an American oncologist whose research helped establish HER2's role in breast cancer and develop targeted treatment. His research connected HER2 amplification with aggressive disease and helped drive trastuzumab's development.
Cardiotoxicity: Cardiotoxicity is damage to the heart caused or worsened by a medical treatment. Trastuzumab can reduce left ventricular function, so cardiac monitoring is part of treatment.
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity: Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity is immune-cell killing of target cells coated with antibodies. Trastuzumab can mark HER2-positive cells for destruction by natural killer cells.
HER2-positive gastric cancer: HER2-positive gastric cancer is stomach or gastroesophageal-junction cancer with elevated HER2 expression or gene amplification. Trastuzumab is used with chemotherapy for some advanced cases.
Genentech: Genentech is a biotechnology company that developed the original trastuzumab antibody. The company brought the HER2-targeting antibody from research into clinical development.
Drug resistance: Drug resistance is the ability of disease cells to survive a treatment that once controlled them. Some HER2-positive tumors eventually progress despite trastuzumab.
HER2 signaling pathway: The HER2 signaling pathway is a network of cellular signals that promotes growth and survival. Trastuzumab can inhibit growth-promoting signaling initiated by HER2.
HER2 testing: HER2 testing measures HER2 protein expression or gene amplification in tumor tissue. Testing identifies tumors likely to qualify for trastuzumab-based treatment.

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