Pertuzumab (Perjeta®)

HER2 is a prognostic factor in breast cancer. The combination of trastuzumab and chemotherapy has been established as a widely used standard treatment option for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Despite the promising initial responses to trastuzumab therapy in a majority of patients, a subset of patients fails to benefit from treatment. Pertuzumab targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 blocking HER2 with other HER family members. As a result, the formation of HER heterodimers is inhibited. Pertuzumab represents a new class of drugs called dimerization inhibitors. Owing their complimentary modes of action, there is strong rationale for the combination of pertuzumab with trastuzumab for the treatment of HER2 overexpressing the disease. In an effort to overcome trastuzumab resistance and further improve the outcome of patients with HER2-positive disease, dual blockade of the HER2 receptor with pertuzumab plus trastuzumab has been developed and stands for the standard treatment in this setting.