HER2estäjät

HER2estäjät, also known as HER2 inhibitors or HER2-targeted therapies, are a class of drugs used to treat certain types of cancer, most notably HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2, which stands for Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2, is a protein that can promote the growth of cancer cells. In some cancers, the HER2 gene is amplified, leading to an overproduction of the HER2 protein on the surface of cancer cells. This overabundance of HER2 can drive aggressive tumor growth.

HER2estäjät work by targeting this overexpressed HER2 protein. They can block the signaling pathways that HER2 uses to tell cancer cells to grow and divide. Some HER2estäjät bind directly to the HER2 receptor, preventing it from functioning. Others deliver toxic substances directly to cancer cells that have HER2 on their surface. By inhibiting HER2, these drugs can slow or stop the growth of HER2-positive tumors and, in some cases, lead to tumor shrinkage.

The development of HER2estäjät has significantly improved the prognosis for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, transforming it from a more aggressive subtype to a more treatable one. Common examples of HER2estäjät include trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and lapatinib. These therapies are often used in combination with chemotherapy and other treatments. While effective, HER2estäjät can have side effects, and their use is typically determined by specific diagnostic tests that confirm HER2 overexpression in a patient's tumor.