Therapeutic effects of Herzuma (trastuzumab-pkrb)

The active substance in Herzuma (trastuzumab-pkrb), trastuzumab, is a monoclonal antibody (a protein) designed to recognize and attach to the HER2 protein. By linking to HER2, Herzuma activates cells of the immune system, which then kill tumor cells. Herzuma also blocks HER2 from producing signals that cause tumor cells to grow. Because Herzuma is a biosimilar, the efficacy and safety studies of trastuzumab do not need to be repeated for Herceptin.

Laboratory studies comparingHerzuma and Herceptin (trastuzumaboriginal drug) have shown that the active substance in Herzuma is highly similar to the active substance in Herceptin in terms of structure, purity and biological activity. Studies also show that giving Herzuma produces similar levels of active substances in the body as giving Herceptin.

Additionally, a major study involving549 patients with early-stage breast cancer that overexpresses HER2 showed that Herzuma was as effective as Herceptin. Patients received Herzuma or Herceptin in combination with other cancer drugs before surgery to remove the tumors, and then the same drugs every three weeks for a year. There was no relevant difference in the primary effectiveness measure (the absence of invasive cancer cells in the breast or related tissue called lymph nodes) between the two products: This occurred in nearly 44% of patients treated with Herzuma and 47% of patients treated with Herceptin.

Herzuma is not yet available in the domestic market, so it is not included in medical insurance. There is little information on its price and other related information. Patients in need should consult a medical consultant.