Trastuzumab/hyaluronidase

Trastuzumab/hyaluronidase is a medication used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. It is a combination of trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody, and hyaluronidase, an enzyme that increases the absorption of the drug.

Etymology

The name "trastuzumab" is derived from the Latin "trans", meaning "across", and "tuzumab", a common suffix for monoclonal antibodies. The name "hyaluronidase" comes from "hyaluronic acid", the substance it breaks down, and "-ase", a suffix used in biochemistry to denote enzymes.

Pharmacology

Trastuzumab works by binding to the HER2 receptor on cancer cells, blocking them from receiving growth signals. Hyaluronidase increases the absorption of trastuzumab, allowing it to reach more cancer cells.

Clinical use

Trastuzumab/hyaluronidase is used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. It is administered by subcutaneous injection.

Side effects

Common side effects of trastuzumab/hyaluronidase include fatigue, joint pain, diarrhea, injection site reactions, upper respiratory tract infection, rash, muscle pain, nausea, and headache.

See also

• Monoclonal antibodies
• Breast cancer
• HER2/neu

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