Ado-trastuzumab emtansine
Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (pronunciation: AY-doh traz-TOO-zoo-mab em-TAN-seen) is a cancer drug used in the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. It is a type of antibody-drug conjugate that combines an antibody (trastuzumab) with a chemotherapy drug (emtansine).
Etymology
The name "ado-trastuzumab emtansine" is derived from the names of the two drugs that make up the compound. "Ado" is short for adenosine, a molecule that is part of the structure of the drug. "Trastuzumab" is the name of the antibody that targets HER2-positive cancer cells, and "emtansine" is the name of the chemotherapy drug that is attached to the antibody.
Usage
Ado-trastuzumab emtansine is used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) and cannot be removed by surgery. It is used when the cancer has not responded to other treatments, or has returned after initial treatment.
Mechanism of Action
Ado-trastuzumab emtansine works by attaching to the HER2 protein on the surface of cancer cells. The trastuzumab part of the drug binds to the HER2 protein, while the emtansine part enters the cell and interferes with cell division, which can cause the cell to die.
Side Effects
Common side effects of ado-trastuzumab emtansine include fatigue, nausea, muscle and joint pain, low platelet count, and elevated liver enzymes. Serious side effects can include liver problems, heart problems, and severe infusion reactions.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ado-trastuzumab emtansine
- Wikipedia's article - Ado-trastuzumab emtansine
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