Info
Trastuzumab (Herceptin)
Treatment
What it means
A targeted monoclonal antibody that blocks the HER2 protein, used in the treatment of HER2-positive cancers (mainly breast and gastric). It can rarely affect heart function, which is why it is monitored periodically.
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- HER2
- A protein that can be present in large amounts on the surface of some cancer cells. HER2 positive means that the tumor may respond to specific biological treatments that target this protein.
- Adjuvant treatment
- Treatment given after surgery or after the main treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence. It may be chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted therapy, depending on the type of cancer.
- Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)
- A hormonal treatment that lowers the level of testosterone in the body or blocks its effect, used in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. It can be done with medication (injections) or surgically.
Other terms in “Treatment”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.