The FDA has approved a new drug called Herceptin (trastuzumab) to treat certain types of breast cancer and stomach cancer. Herceptin works by targeting a protein called HER2, which is found in high amounts on some cancer cells. This drug is for patients whose tumors have too much HER2, as shown by an FDA-approved test.
For breast cancer, Herceptin can be used after surgery to lower the risk of the cancer coming back. It can also be used for advanced breast cancer that has spread. For stomach cancer, it is used together with chemotherapy for advanced disease that has not been treated before.
This approval means that more patients with HER2-positive cancers have a targeted treatment option. Herceptin is not for everyone. It only works for cancers that overexpress HER2. If you have breast or stomach cancer, talk to your doctor to find out if Herceptin might be right for you. Your doctor can help you understand your test results and treatment choices.