Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer

What is Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer

Targeted therapy uses drugs that work in a different way to chemotherapy drugs. While chemotherapy destroys all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy attacks specific targets inside cancer cells.

Targeted therapy uses specific drugs that are known to target specific proteins or enzymes that play a role in the growth of cancer cells. 

Herceptin (trastuzumab) is the best known of the targeted therapies and is used to treat patients with breast cancer that expresses the gene, HER2 receptor. 

Other targeted therapies include

• Pertuzumab (Perjeta)
• Ribociclib (Kisqali)
• Transtuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla)

HER2-positive Breast Cancer

HER2-positive breast cancers are cancers that produce an excessive amount of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) which promotes the growth of cancer cells and can be detected on a test. 

HER2-positive breast cancer can be effectively treated by a drug called Herceptin which specifically targets these cancer cells. It is given as an injection.

Triple-negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancers are cancers that do not have receptors for oestrogen, progesterone and HER2 commonly present on breast cancer cells. This type of cancer accounts for about 15% of breast cancers and generally respond very well to chemotherapy. 

Hormone Receptor-positive Breast Cancer

Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer which forms about two-thirds of all breast cancers require female hormones such as oestrogen and/or progesterone to help them grow and multiply. It is usually treated by hormone therapy in the form of daily oral medications for at least 5 years following completion of other treatments such as surgery, radiation or chemotherapy