Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksDosagesSide EffectsCost and Affordability
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
Dosages
Side Effects
Cost and Affordability
This article discusses how Enhertu works, when it’s given, its dosage, side effects, and affordability.
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When Is Enhertu Used for Breast Cancer?
Enhertu is approved to treat adults with breast cancer that is either:
More specifically, Enhertu is used when these tumors are either:
Before starting Enhertu, people must also have already received other treatments (anti-HER2 treatment for HER2-positive cancer, or chemotherapy for HER2-low) for metastatic cancer, or had arecurrencewithin 6 months after completing these previous treatments.
Other Uses of EnhertuEnhertu may also be given to people who have:Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) that has a specific HER2 gene mutation, is unresectable or has metastasized, and has already been treatedHER2-positivegastricorgastroesophageal junctionadenocarcinomastomach cancer that has spread and has already been treated
Other Uses of Enhertu
Enhertu may also be given to people who have:Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) that has a specific HER2 gene mutation, is unresectable or has metastasized, and has already been treatedHER2-positivegastricorgastroesophageal junctionadenocarcinomastomach cancer that has spread and has already been treated
Enhertu may also be given to people who have:
Everything You Need to Know About HER2-Positive vs. HER2-Negative Breast Cancer
Dosage and How Enhertu Is Given
Enhertu is administered intravenously (IV) (into thevein) through a method calledinfusion therapy.It is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), a type oftargeteddrug, meaning it travels to the tumor and releaseschemotherapyto the cells that produce too much HER2, directly killing the cells that harm the body.
A dose of 5.4 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight is typically administered once every 21 days. The length of time people receive treatment varies, with seven months being the midrange treatment.
The most common side effects of Enhertu are:
More severe side effects, such asbreathing difficultiesor heart problems, are also possible.Talking to a healthcare provider about new symptoms and side effects is important to ensure they are not serious. Some side effects may be life-threatening, so it is essential to receive care immediately.
Signs of Serious Side EffectsChest painor tightnessCoughDizzinessor light-headednessFever or chillsLeg or ankleswellingTrouble breathingWheezing
Signs of Serious Side Effects
Chest painor tightnessCoughDizzinessor light-headednessFever or chillsLeg or ankleswellingTrouble breathingWheezing
Cancertreatmentscost Americans roughly $5.6 billion per year inout-of-pocketcosts.Many people with cancer pay over $100,000 out-of-pocket costs within the first year of diagnosis.In addition to insurance, there are otherpatient-assistanceoptions.
People receiving Enhertu treatments may benefit from options such as:
These options may help with the drug cost and other expenses related to treatment, including drug administration and transportation expenses.
Summary
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) is a drug used to treat breast and other cancers that have the HER2 protein, which makes tumors grow more quickly. Enhertu is administered intravenously (in the vein), targeting and killing the specific cells that produce too much HER2.
Treatments are usually administered once every three weeks; treatment time varies, but the midrange treatment schedule is typically around seven months.Common side effects include nausea, fatigue, and hair loss. More severe side effects include heart and lung problems. Talking with a healthcare professional about any new or worsening symptoms is essential.
A Word From Verywell
Deciding on and beginning a new medication or therapy for cancer treatment can be challenging. Talk to your oncologist or healthcare team if you think Enhertu may be a promising treatment for you. Evidence supports that it is an effective treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer and other cancers.
HER2-Low Breast Cancer Treatment
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Enhertu improves survival for metastatic “HER2-low"breast cancer.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approval of enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Enhertu marks first targeted therapy for HER2-mutant lung cancer.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Enhertu highlights of prescribing information.
American Cancer Society.What is HER2 and what does it mean?
Breast Cancer Foundation.HER2-Low Breast Cancer Explained.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.HER2 low breast cancer expert: Precise diagnosis can lead to personalized treatment.
National Cancer Institute.Metastatic cancer: when cancer spreads.
Enhertu.Enhertu is FDA approved for the treatment of several types of cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Enhertu may be preferred therapy for some metastatic breast cancers.
Enhertu.Understanding potential risks.
American Cancer Society.The cost of cancer.
Enhertu.Affording your medicine.
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