HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Trastuzumab (Herceptin)
How It Works
Trastuzumab targets Reference breast cancer Opens New Window cells that make too much of (overexpress) a protein called Reference HER-2 Opens New Window, which is found on the surface of some cancer cells. Trastuzumab slows or stops the growth of these cells. Not all breast cancers make this protein.
Trastuzumab is used after surgery and chemotherapy to treat breast cancer that tests positive for HER-2. It is also used to treat metastatic or recurrent HER-2 breast cancer. It may be used by itself or may be combined with other medicines.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: June 28, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology |
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