Understanding HER2 and breast cancer
HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein that plays an important role in how cells grow, multiply, and survive. HER2 is produced by the HER2/neu gene. Normal cells contain two copies of the HER2 gene and make amounts of HER2 to allow normal cell growth and division. Some cancer cells, however, contain many more copies of the HER2 gene and in turn produce too much HER2 protein. This "overexpression" of HER2 receptors results in a cancer that is "HER2+." About 20% to 25% of breast cancer tumors are HER2+ (HER2-positive).4
Why HER2 matters
Knowing your cancer's HER2 status is important for several reasons. HER2+ cancers grow faster and spread faster than other cancer cells, and they need to be treated differently.18 Knowing that your cancer is HER2+ also allows your doctor to rule out some treatments that do not work as effectively on HER2 cancers.
If you have not already done so, talk to your doctor about HER2 cancer testing.
Check out GlaxoSmithKline's Tykerb® CARES support program to help patients and the healthcare providers who treat them.
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Indication
TYKERB is indicated in combination with Xeloda® (capecitabine) for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose tumors overexpress HER2 and who have received prior therapy including an anthracycline, a taxane, and Herceptin® (trastuzumab).
Important Safety Information
Before taking TYKERB, tell your doctor if you have heart problems. As with other treatments for HER2-positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer, there have been reports of changes in how the heart pumps blood through the body and how the heart beats. Call your doctor right away if you are short of breath, have rapid heartbeats (palpitations), or feel very tired.
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems. People who have liver problems may not be able to process TYKERB well, so you may need a lower dose of TYKERB.
Some people taking TYKERB have reported diarrhea. In some cases, diarrhea can be severe. Call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea. It is important to manage diarrhea with medicine as soon as it begins. Severe diarrhea may need to be treated with electrolytes and fluids given by mouth or by vein. Treatment with TYKERB may have to be delayed for a while or stopped completely.
If you have a dry cough or have shortness of breath, talk with your doctor. These may be signs of inflammation in the lungs.
Women should not become pregnant when taking TYKERB because the unborn baby may be harmed.
The most common side effects reported by patients taking TYKERB and Xeloda were diarrhea; vomiting; feeling sick to your stomach (nausea); feeling tired; red, painful hands and feet; and rash.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines and herbal and dietary supplements.
Because TYKERB is currently indicated to be taken with another medicine called Xeloda, be sure to talk with your doctor about any medicines and supplements that should be avoided when taking Xeloda.
Please see complete US Prescribing Information for TYKERB.
Herceptin is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.
Xeloda is a registered trademark of Roche Laboratories Inc.
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