Question 1

what is the definition or description of: herceptin (trastuzumab) allergy?

Accepted Answer

See below: Allergy is aberrant immune response to any entity.

Question 2

what is the cost of herceptin (trastuzumab)?

Accepted Answer

Varies: This is difficult to answer because pricing can be different depending on where you live.  Also pricing is different depending on the volume ordered.
If you are having trouble affording medication, contact your local health department or the national breast and cervical cancer program.  They cover costs related to treatment.

Question 3

what causes herceptin (trastuzumab) headache?

Accepted Answer

Let me explain: The thoery is Herceptin (trastuzumab) infusion cause  contious vasodilatation which is thought to provoke the headache.

Question 4

what are the risks with herceptin (trastuzumab) therapy?

Accepted Answer

Heart failure: About 4% of women treated with Herceptin (trastuzumab) develop some weakness in their heart as measured by a muga test.  This decrease in heart function is reversible when the drug is stopped.  Other side effects of Herceptin (trastuzumab) can include allergic reaction, fatigue, headache and diarrhea.  Most of my patients have no side effects!

Question 5

what are common adverse reactions of herceptin (trastuzumab)?

Accepted Answer

Various: There are many common adverse reactions to herceptin (trastuzumab).  These include pain fevers, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, cough, trouble breathing, rash, infections, lack of appetite, swelling, and changes in your blood counts.  Additionally, Herceptin (trastuzumab) is sometimes combined with other medications which can cause a different set of adverse reactions.

Question 6

how is herceptin (trastuzumab) therapy administered to a patient?

Accepted Answer

Intravenously.: Herceptin (trastuzumab) is given through an iv, typically in your cancer doctor's office.

Question 7

want to stay on herceptin (trastuzumab) and switch from taxol to gemzar.  what is the difference?

Accepted Answer

Her 2 + cancer: That seems like a reasonable strategy if recommended by your oncologist for progressive her 2 positive cancer. Gemzar (gemcitabine) is better tolerated and less side effects.

Question 8

what are trastuzumab and herceptin?

Accepted Answer

Biologic Therapy: Herceptin/trastuzumab is an antibody to a cell surface proteint coded for by the her2neu gene.  Its present in some normal cells but in a subset of breast cancers (10-15%) there are multiple copies of the gene producing large amounts of the protein.  The herceptin/trastuzumab antibody binds to that protein and reduces that aggressive nature of her2+cancer.  It is usually given with chemo.

Question 9

how does herceptin (trastuzumab) work?

Accepted Answer

Many ways: Described by dr. Clifford hudis in nejm in 2007.  It can reduce her2 signaling, it can recruit cells to directly kill cancer cells.  Her2 can activate a protein called p95.  Herceptin (trastuzumab) can block this thereby reduce signaling leading to cell death.  It is a multifaceted medication so this is why it is probably the most important drug in her2 positive breast cancer.  Hope this helps.

Question 10

what are the effects of herceptin (trastuzumab)?

Accepted Answer

Killing cancer cells: Herceptin (trastuzumab) is an antibody, which is the y-shaped green thing in the picture. It sticks to the her2 protein which is present on some breast cancers (and other cancers). Herceptin (trastuzumab) seems to help the body's immune cells "see" and attack the cancer cells.  For women with her2 positive breast cancer, it decreases the risk of the cancer returning by almost 50%!

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Doctor answers about:

Herceptin allergy

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: herceptin (trastuzumab) allergy?

A member asked:

What is the cost of herceptin (trastuzumab)?

A member asked:

What causes herceptin (trastuzumab) headache?

A member asked:

What are the risks with herceptin (trastuzumab) therapy?

A member asked:

What are common adverse reactions of herceptin (trastuzumab)?

A member asked:

How is herceptin (trastuzumab) therapy administered to a patient?

A member asked:

Want to stay on herceptin (trastuzumab) and switch from taxol to gemzar. what is the difference?

A member asked:

What are trastuzumab and herceptin?

A member asked:

How does herceptin (trastuzumab) work?

A member asked:

What are the effects of herceptin (trastuzumab)?

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