Trastuzumab-Emtansine

• Mechanism of Action
• Contains a monoclonal antibody directed toward HER2 (trastuzumab), linked to a chemotherapeutic agent (DM1), allowing for targeted delivery of cytotoxic chemotherapy to HER2-positive tumour cells.
  Trastuzumab inhibits HER2 signalling pathways resulting in cell cycle arrest, and also mediates antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
  DM1 is a cytotoxic agent that binds to tubulin, preventing polymerisation and resulting in cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase.

Clinical Use

• • Indication
  • HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer refractory to trastuzumab.
• • Adverse Effects