Everything about HER2 Positive Breast Cancer

Her 2 positive breast cancers are the most aggressive in nature. People diagnosed with HER 2 receptor positive breast cancer show better treatment responses with targeted therapy. The targeted therapy for her 2 positive breast cancers works by selectively targeting the proteins that are responsible for the growth, development, spread of the cancer. This type of cancer therapy can be administered either as a standalone treatment or in combination with chemotherapy. Breast cancer treatment with trastuzumab lasts for 6 months to a year.

For treating early breast cancers, trastuzumab shall either be administered before or after surgery.The advanced breast cancers are also treated with this drug with the goal of alleviating the symptoms and preventing the spread of cancer to other organs such as the lugs, brain and bones. This medicine shall be administered via injection directly into the veins or beneath the sin to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect. The other merits of treating breast cancer with targeted drug therapy is that it produces less toxic effects to the cells when compared to the traditional cancer treatment.

Targeted therapy involves monoclonal antibodies which are nothing but the human made proteins that are formulated to bind with the specific target receptors. In a similar way, the attack the HER 2 receptors present on the breast cancer cells and prevent the progression of the disease to other body parts. The most prominent monoclonal antibodies that help treat early or advanced breast cancers include trastuzumab.

In HER 2 positive patients, the breast cancer cells are mostly composed of HER2 proteins that cause rapid development of cancer tumors by serving as a signal to the cancerous cells. Trastuzumab is not just limited to treating breast cancer, it is also indicated for its use In advanced gastric cancer. However this drug is only effective in those patients who test positive for HER 2 receptors. To confirm the presence of her 2 proteins, an investigation  will be conducted such as immunohistochemistry(IHC). In the IHC test a dye will be used to strain the HER 2 proteins. While the scores are ranged from 0-3, if the report shows 3+, her 3+it confirms the presence of HER 2 proteins, if it is 1+ / 2 + the test results are considered negative.

Herclon 440mg Injection is one of the products that consists of trastuzumab as the key constituent. Trastuzumab is available as Herclon 440mg Injection in the market. This medication is administered for 90 minutes for the first time after the first dose, the consecutive doses are given only for 30 minutes. In case you are planning for pregnancy it would be best to discuss with your doctor regarding the reliable contraceptive methods at least for 7 months after the completion of therapy with herclon 440 mg injection as this medication may cause harm to the unborn baby. Even for women who are breastfeeding it is advised to avoid this medication as certain studies demonstrate the presence of drugs in the breast milk.