Herceptin (trastuzumab) is a targeted therapy medication used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. It works by attaching to HER2 proteins on cancer cells, helping to stop them from growing and dividing. It is commonly used in combination with other treatments and has been shown to be effective in both early and advanced stages of breast cancer.

Pertuzumab is another targeted therapy medication used in treating HER2-positive breast cancer. It works differently from Herceptin by preventing HER2 proteins from pairing with other HER2 proteins. When used together with Herceptin, it provides a more complete blockade of HER2 signaling, which can lead to better treatment outcomes.

Both medications are given together as “dual HER2-blockade” therapy, which means they work in combination to more effectively target and treat HER2-positive breast cancer cells. This combination approach has become a standard treatment option for many patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Breast cancer – A disease that begins when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form a tumor that can be seen on an x-ray or felt as a lump. The cancer starts in the cells of the breast tissue, most commonly in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple or the glands that make breast milk. Over time, cancer cells can invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes. If cancer cells get into the lymph nodes, they then have a pathway into other parts of the body. The disease can occur in both women and men, though it’s much more common in women. Breast cancer cells can grow at different rates, with some growing and spreading more quickly than others.