ABSTRACT
Introduction: The mechanism of action of pertuzumab, a recombinant anti-HER2 humanized monoclonal antibody, is complementary to trastuzumab’s. On 8 June 2012, the Food and Drug Administration approved the combination of pertuzumab with trastuzumab and docetaxel as first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Furthermore, pertuzumab is the first drug to be approved in the neoadjuvant setting using a pathological complete response as an endpoint.
Areas covered: The review provides insights into the main mechanisms of action of pertuzumab. In addition, it gives complete coverage of the landmark clinical and translational trials for this agent.
Expert opinion: The new therapeutic algorithm in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced disease and the awaited results of the Aphinity trial are expected to impact the sequence of anti-HER2 treatment. Accordingly, the value of pertuzumab beyond progression needs to be properly studied. Furthermore, to improve the toxicity profile and efficacy of future treatment, new pertuzumab-based regimens are being investigated.
Declaration of interest
F Puglisi has received honoraria from and has acted as a consultant for Roche, Celgene, Takeda, Ipsen, AstraZeneca, Novartis and Pierre Fabre. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.