The Difference Between Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab

Pertuzumab (Pertuzumab) and trastuzumab (Trastuzumab) are both monoclonal antibody drugs used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. Their main difference lies in their mechanism of action and clinical application. When patients use the two drugs, the specific treatment plan should be determined by the doctor based on the patient's condition.

Pertuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits the formation of heterodimers between HER2 and other HER family members by binding to the extracytoplasmic domain of the HER2 receptor, thereby blocking signal transduction and cell proliferation. It is usually used in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy drugs as a first-line treatment option for newly diagnosed HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Trastuzumab is also a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the outer cytoplasmic domain of the HER2 receptor, inhibits the HER2 signaling pathway, and induces cell apoptosis through antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). It is often used in combination with chemotherapy drugs as a treatment option for HER2-positive breast cancer and can be used for patients with early and advanced breast cancer.

Pertuzumab is a strictly controlled drug. The original drug has been marketed in China and has entered the ranks of medical insurance, but it is only reimbursed for patients who meet the indications. The price of each box may be more than more than 5,000 yuan, and the price of the Hong Kong version may be more than 20,000 yuan (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates). The price of each box of the European version of Pertuzumab's original drug marketed overseas may be more than 10,000 yuan, and the price of each box of the Turkish version may be more than 6,000 yuan (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates). The ingredients of the domestic and foreign original drugs are basically the same, and there are currently no generic versions of Pertuzumab on the market.