Pertuzumab: Unprecedented benefit in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer is a more aggressive subtype of breast cancer and targeting the HER2 receptor has proven effective in improving the prognosis of these patients. Pertuzumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody and the first in a class of HER2 dimerization inhibitors approved for treating HER2+ breast cancer. It blocks ligand-dependent heterodimerization and ligand-independent homodimerization of HER2 with other HER members. When used in combination with trastuzumab and taxane, pertuzumab complements the action of trastuzumab and results in a comprehensive blockade of HER2 signaling pathway. This review article traces the development of pertuzumab from concept to its current use in HER2+ breast cancer treatment. A search of Medical Literature Published since 2007 was performed in PubMed using the keywords “pertuzumab,” “HER2+ breast cancer,” “HER2 targeted therapy,” “metastatic breast cancer,” and in search engines for ongoing trials with pertuzumab and incidence of cancer and breast cancer in India. A total of 35 publications and abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology were selected for this review. Pertuzumab is approved in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel for the treatment of patients with HER2+ metastatic BC, who have not received prior anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The dual HER2 blockade of pertuzumab and trastuzumab is now accepted worldwide as a standard of care by various guidelines.