Targeted therapy drugs attack specific features of cancer cells to stop the cancer growing and spreading.
Learn more about:
- What drugs are available?
- How trastuzumab works
- Side effects of trastuzumab
- PARP inhibitors
- Video: What are immunotherapy and targeted therapy?
- Podcast: Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy
What drugs are available?
The drugs that are currently available do not work for all types of breast cancer. They are mostly useful for HER2 positive breast cancers. The drug abemaciclib is used for both HER2+ and HER2– breast cancers. For early or locally advanced breast cancer, the most common targeted therapy drug used is trastuzumab.
How trastuzumab works
Your treatment team may refer to trastuzumab by a brand name, such as Herzuma, Kanjinti or Ogivri. It is also known by the brand name Herceptin, though this version is now rarely used in Australia. Trastuzumab works by attaching itself to HER2+ breast cancer cells, destroying the cells or reducing their ability to divide and grow. Trastuzumab also encourages the body’s own immune cells to help find and destroy the cancer cells.
Trastuzumab is used in combination with chemotherapy. It has been shown to increase the effect of chemotherapy drugs on early breast cancer. Most people have trastuzumab via a drip into a vein (infusion), but some people have it as an injection under the skin.
The first infusion takes about 90 minutes. This is called the loading dose. The following infusions take 30–60 minutes each. You will usually have a dose every three weeks, for up to 12 months. The first four doses are given while you are having chemotherapy treatment.
Side effects of trastuzumab
Your medical team will monitor you for side effects. These are usually caused by the chemotherapy. This means that once chemotherapy finishes and you are continuing with trastuzumab only, most side effects ease. For example, hair grows back, there is no nausea or vomiting, and you no longer need regular blood tests.
Although side effects from trastuzumab itself are uncommon, they can include headache, fever and diarrhoea. In some people, trastuzumab can affect how the heart works, so you will have tests to check your heart function before and during treatment.
Several new drugs have been developed as additional treatments after trastuzumab for people with HER2+ breast cancer, including pertuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). Your doctor will advise if these are appropriate for you.
PARP inhibitors
There are a number of new drugs for people who have inherited a BRCA mutation, or whose cancer has developed BRCA mutations. These are called PARP inhibitors. Ask your doctor whether these drugs may be appropriate for you.
→ READ MORE: Managing side effects of breast cancer
Video: What are immunotherapy and targeted therapy?
Watch this short video to learn more about targeted and immunotherapy
Podcast: Immunotherapy & Targeted Therapy
More resources
A/Prof Elisabeth Elder, Specialist Breast Surgeon, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and The University of Sydney, NSW; Collette Butler, Clinical Nurse Consultant and McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Cancer Support Centre, Launceston, TAS; Tania Cercone, Consumer; Kate Cox, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Marcus Dreosti, Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director, GenesisCare, SA; Dr Susan Fraser, Breast Physician, Cairns Hospital and Marlin Coast Surgery Cairns, QLD; Dr Hilda High, Genetic Oncologist, Sydney Cancer Genetics, NSW; Prof David W Kissane AC, Chair of Palliative Medicine Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; Prof Sherene Loi, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr W Kevin Patterson, Medical Oncologist, Adelaide Oncology and Haematology, SA; Angela Thomas, Consumer; Iwa Yeung, Physiotherapist, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
