FDA approves new ERBB2 targeted drug

The FDA approved a new drug for HER2 (ERBB2) positive breast cancer (June 8, 2012). Pertuzumab (Perjeta) is an antibody that targets a different epitope than trastuzumab (Herceptin), the first HER2 targeted antibody drug. The two drugs can therefore be combined to improve efficacy, and this was shown quite successfully in the CLEOPATRA clinical trial [PMID: 21147694]. Pertuzumab is approved for use in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel for metastatic breast cancer.
 
Last week at the annual meeting for the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), there were also reports about the promising new anti-HER2 antibody drug conjugate in development, trastuzumab emantidine. Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is trastuzumab covalently bound to DM1, a microtubule polymerization inhibitor.

For more details see the FDA release.