Molecular targeted therapy is the specific combination of drugs with specific sites of tumor cells, so as to kill tumor cells accurately, with less damage to normal cells, with strong specificity and obvious curative effect.
At present, targeted therapy can be carried out for HER2-positive breast cancer patients, and the main drugs in China are trastuzumab, pertuzumab, pyrroltinib, T-DM1, lapatinib, etc.
How long does anti-HER2 therapy usually last for
breast cancer patients? The time required for anti-HER2 therapy in breast cancer patients varies with individual differences and disease conditions. Usually, anti-HER2 therapy needs to be continued for a long time, but the specific treatment cycle and duration should be determined according to the patient’s specific situation and the doctor’s advice. In the stage of neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer, anti-HER2 therapy may be combined with other treatments (such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.) To achieve better therapeutic effect. After neoadjuvant therapy, anti-HER2 therapy may be continued as an adjuvant therapy to consolidate the therapeutic effect and reduce the risk of recurrence, which generally takes one year. The goal of treatment for patients with recurrent and metastatic breast cancer is to control the disease, alleviate symptoms and prolong survival. Patients need sustained and effective anti-HER2 therapy to achieve long-term survival with tumors, and patients must not interrupt treatment on their own. It should be noted that although anti-HER2 therapy is beneficial to breast cancer patients, it may also be accompanied by some adverse reactions. Patients should pay close attention to their physical condition and report any discomfort or abnormal reaction to the doctor in time so that the doctor can adjust the treatment plan and take corresponding measures in time.
Why
do HER2-positive breast cancer patients develop drug resistance? There are many reasons for HER2 positive breast cancer patients to develop drug resistance, although patients strictly follow the medical supervision, but the phenomenon of drug resistance may still occur. This is mainly because of the complexity and heterogeneity of tumor cells, and many factors in the treatment process may lead to the development of drug resistance. Firstly, the drug resistance of HER2-positive breast cancer is related to the structural mutation of HER2 protein, which may lead to the failure of drugs to bind to HER2 protein effectively, thus reducing the efficacy of drugs. Second, overexpression of tyrosine kinase receptors may also contribute to drug resistance, as these receptors are able to activate alternative signaling pathways, allowing cancer cells to bypass the inhibited HER2 signaling pathway and continue to grow. In addition, the activation of HER2 downstream signaling pathways may also lead to drug resistance, and these mutations may make cancer cells less sensitive to drugs. In addition to the resistance mechanisms associated with HER2, other factors may affect the efficacy of the drug. For example, HER2 mutations, cross-talk between HER2 and estrogen receptors, etc. Therefore, although patients take medicine strictly according to medical supervision, drug resistance may still occur. In order to overcome drug resistance, doctors may need to adjust the treatment plan, including changing drugs, increasing the dosage of drugs or adopting combination therapy. At the same time, patients should also actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment recommendations, maintain good living habits and mentality, in order to improve the treatment effect and prognosis.
What is dual target therapy for breast cancer? Dual-target therapy for breast cancer is a targeted drug therapy, which usually refers to the use of two targeted drugs to kill tumor cells and tissues, thereby alleviating the impact of breast cancer on the health of patients. This approach has been used primarily in patients with invasive breast cancer that is positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) because such patients are susceptible to targeted drug therapy. In dual-target therapy, the two commonly used drugs are trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Pertuzumab and trastuzumab are synergistic and complementary in the mechanism of action, blocking HRE2 channel signal transduction comprehensively, which can further improve the efficacy and prolong the survival time of patients. Comprehensive consideration of the need for the application of dual-targeted therapy. It should be noted that although dual-target therapy is better than single-target therapy, it is not suitable for all breast cancer patients. It is generally used in high-risk patients, such as axillary lymph node positive patients, while for axillary lymph node negative patients, other factors need to be considered. Overall, dual-target therapy for breast cancer is an effective treatment for patients with specific types of breast cancer, and the combination of two targeted drugs can improve the therapeutic effect. However, the choice of treatment should be individualized and carried out under the guidance of doctors.
What is an ADC drug? Can HER2 positive breast cancer patients use it? Antibody-drug Conjugates (ADCs) are a class of targeted biological drugs consisting of antibodies, linkers and cytotoxic drugs. This drug has the characteristics of high specificity and good safety, and can effectively kill tumor cells. The mechanism of action of ADC drugs mainly depends on the targeting effect of antibodies. The antibody part can specifically recognize antigens on the surface of tumor cells, and then precisely deliver cytotoxic drugs to the interior of tumor cells through connectors. Once the drug enters the tumor cells, it will release its cytotoxicity, thus killing these tumor cells. This treatment not only improves the efficacy of drugs, but also reduces the damage to normal cells, which makes ADC drugs have unique advantages in cancer treatment. ADC drugs are also an effective treatment option for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. For example, anti-HER2 Enmetrastuzumab is an antibody conjugate, which has been approved for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer in China. In addition, there are other ADC drugs, such as DS-8201. In conclusion, ADC drugs are a class of targeted therapy drugs for tumor cells, which is an effective treatment option for HER2-positive breast cancer patients, and patients need to be treated under the guidance of doctors.
