The FDA has approved a new drug called Phesgo for people with HER2 positive breast cancer. This type of cancer has a protein called HER2 that helps it grow. Phesgo is a shot given under the skin, unlike older treatments that are given through a vein (IV). It combines three medicines: pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase.
Phesgo is for adults with early breast cancer that is large, inflammatory, or has spread to lymph nodes. It is also for people with metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread) who have not had anti HER2 therapy before. For early breast cancer, it can be used before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after surgery (adjuvant) to lower the risk of cancer coming back.
The approval means patients now have a faster option. The first shot takes about 8 minutes, and follow up shots take about 5 minutes every 3 weeks. This is much quicker than IV infusions, which can take hours. However, Phesgo is not the same as the IV versions of pertuzumab and trastuzumab. They cannot be swapped.
If you have HER2 positive breast cancer, talk to your doctor about whether Phesgo is right for you. Your doctor can help you understand the benefits and risks based on your specific situation.