Monoclonal antibody-drug conjugateFDA-approvedSecond-line
Trastuzumab-DM1
Generic name: trastuzumab emtansine
How it works
Delivers a toxic payload to cancer cells that express the HER2 receptor, causing cell death.
Cancer types
Breast Cancer— HER2-positive
Efficacy
Studies have shown that trastuzumab-DM1 can improve progression-free survival in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who have received prior therapy.
Side effects
Moderate
Side effects can be significant and may require dose adjustments or supportive medication, but the treatment is usually continued.
Evidence from research
| Study | Cancer type | Stage | Efficacy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential HER2-Targeting Therapy in Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | The median overall survival was 9.2 months in the T-DM1 post-T-DXd cohort and 25.0 months in the T-DXd post-T-DM1 cohort. | Source → |
| New Study Compares Cancer Treatment Effectiveness in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients | Breast Cancer | phase-3 | Seven-year invasive disease-free survival was 80.8% with T-DM1 and 67.1% with trastuzumab (difference, 13.7 percentage points). | Source → |
| New Study Compares Treatments for Early Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer | phase-2 | Patients treated with T-DM1 had better disease-free survival. | Source → |
| Cost-effectiveness of trastuzumab deruxtecan in Finland | Breast Cancer | phase-3 | Total quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and life years (LYs) gained for T-DXd compared with T-DM1 were 1.93 and 2.56, respectively. | Source → |
This information is provided for general education only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.