What is trastuzumab and does it work?
Trastuzumab belongs to a class of cancer drugs called monoclonal antibodies. It is a recombinant, humanized, monoclonal antibody, which binds to the Her-2/neu receptor protein on the outside of the cell. This binding, blocks the interaction of the Her-2/neu receptor with the human epidermal growth factor protein. By blocking the communication between a receptor and its complementary protein, the drug effectively shuts off growth and differentiation signals to the cell. The theory is that if there is no signal communicated to the cell telling it to grow and divide, it will not do so. Trastuzumab only works in patients who have an increased amount of Her-2/neu protein and has little effect in cancers that do not overexpress this receptor. Trastuzumab is given by an IV drip. It can be given in the outpatient setting and does not require admission. Because it works primarily on cancer cells that overexpress the receptor, it has little effect on normal tissue and side effects seem to be mil
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