Synonyms
Definition
Is a humanized IgG1κ monoclonal antibody specifically binding to HER2.
Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2/Neu), also known as ErbB-2, is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB) family and is notable for its role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and as a target of treatment. It is a cell membrane receptor tyrosine kinase normally involved in the signal transduction pathways leading to cell growth and differentiation.
HER2 is named because it has similar structure to human epidermal growth factor receptor, or HER1. ErbB2 was named for its similarity to ErbB (avian erythroblastosis oncogene B), the oncogene later found to code for EGFR. Gene cloning showed that neu, HER2, and ErbB2 were the same.
Trastuzumab is approved for treatment of HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer in combination with chemotherapy and as single-agent therapy in those patients with metastasic breast cancer who do not respond to chemotherapy.
...
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsEditor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2011). Trastuzumab. In: Schwab, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cancer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_5962
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_5962
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-16482-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-16483-5
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences