Assessment of HER2 protein overexpression and HER2 gene amplification in tumor specimens should be performed using FDA-approved tests specific for breast cancers by laboratories with demonstrated proficiency.
Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for Herceptin. Information on the FDA-approved tests for the detection of HER2 protein overexpression and HER2 gene amplification is available here.
Do not:
Appropriate patients for adjuvant Herceptin therapy have HER2+ breast cancer that is node-positive—OR node-negative and the cancer is also hormone-negative (HR–)—OR node-negative and the patient has one of these high-risk factors: tumor grade 2 or 3, tumor size >2 cm, or patient age <35 years.
Administer according to one of the following doses and schedules for a total of 52 weeks of Herceptin therapy:
During and following paclitaxel, docetaxel, or docetaxel/carboplatin:
As a single agent within three weeks following completion of multi-modality, anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens:
Regimen |
Loading dose |
Subsequent doses during weekly administration |
Subsequent doses during every 3 weeks administration to complete 52 weeks of Herceptin therapy |
TCH |
4 mg/kg (week 1) |
2 mg/kg (weeks 2-18) |
6 mg/kg (week 19 through end of Herceptin therapy) |
AC➝TH |
4 mg/kg (week 1 of Herceptin-containing regimen) |
2 mg/kg (weeks 2-12 of Herceptin-containing regimen) |
6 mg/kg (week 13 through end of Herceptin therapy) |
Monotherapy* |
8 mg/kg (week 1) |
N/A |
6 mg/kg (week 4 through end of Herceptin therapy) |
Infusion time |
90 minutes |
30 minutes |
30-90 minutes |
Extending adjuvant treatment beyond 1 year is not recommended.1
*Within 3 weeks after completing all chemotherapy.
TCH=docetaxel and carboplatin plus Herceptin.
AC➝TH=doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel or docetaxel plus Herceptin.
Discontinue Herceptin for infusion reactions manifesting as anaphylaxis, angioedema, interstitial pneumonitis, or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Discontinue in all patients with severe infusion reactions.
If a dose is missed by ≤1 week:
If a dose is missed by >1 week:
LVEF=left ventricular ejection fraction; MUGA=multigated acquisition scan.
†In the Joint Analysis, baseline measurement was conducted prior to initiation of AC therapy.
‡Repeat LVEF measurements at 4-week intervals if Herceptin is withheld for significant left ventricular cardiac dysfunction.
ECHO=echocardiogram; LLN=lower limit of normal; LVEF=left ventricular ejection fraction; MUGA=multigated acquisition scan..
Hold and reinitiate up to 3 times in patients with asymptomatic declines in LVEF.
The safety of continuation or resumption in patients with Herceptin-induced left ventricular dysfunction has not been studied.
§Insurer/payer policies are subject to change. The completion and submission of coverage or reimbursement-related documentation are the responsibility of the patient and the healthcare provider. Genentech makes no guarantee concerning coverage or reimbursement for any service or item.
||As of 3/31/2023, national coverage for Herceptin is >60%. Coverage percentage is calculated with a weighted average based on national patients treated for Herceptin.
Request comprehensive coverage insights for your practice or region today.
Herceptin Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. February 2021.
Herceptin Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. February 2021.
Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Breast Cancer V.1.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed June 13, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.
Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Breast Cancer V.1.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed June 13, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.
Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Gastric Cancer V.2.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed June 13, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.
Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Gastric Cancer V.2.2019. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Accessed June 13, 2019. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.
FDA Approval Letter. Herceptin. September 25, 1998. At: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/1998/trasgen092598L.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2019.
FDA Approval Letter. Herceptin. September 25, 1998. At: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/1998/trasgen092598L.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Herceptin HYLECTA Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. February 2019.
Herceptin HYLECTA Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. February 2019.
Romond EH, Perez EA, Bryant J, et al; from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). Trastuzumab plus adjuvant chemotherapy for operable HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(16):1673-1684. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa052122. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Romond EH, Perez EA, Bryant J, et al; from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). Trastuzumab plus adjuvant chemotherapy for operable HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(16):1673-1684. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa052122. Accessed June 24, 2019.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide plus paclitaxel with or without trastuzumab in treating women with node-positive breast cancer that overexpresses HER2. NCT00004067 updated January 15, 2019. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00004067. Accessed June 24, 2019.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide plus paclitaxel with or without trastuzumab in treating women with node-positive breast cancer that overexpresses HER2. NCT00004067 updated January 15, 2019. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00004067. Accessed June 24, 2019.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel with or without trastuzumab in treating women with HER2-positive node-positive or high-risk node-negative breast cancer. NCT00005970 updated June 4, 2019. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00005970. Accessed June 24, 2019.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel with or without trastuzumab in treating women with HER2-positive node-positive or high-risk node-negative breast cancer. NCT00005970 updated June 4, 2019. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00005970. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Piccart-Gebhart MJ, Procter M, Leyland-Jones B, et al; for the Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA) Trial Study Team. Trastuzumab after adjuvant chemotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(16):1659-1672. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa052306. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Piccart-Gebhart MJ, Procter M, Leyland-Jones B, et al; for the Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA) Trial Study Team. Trastuzumab after adjuvant chemotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(16):1659-1672. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa052306. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Slamon D, Eiermann W, Robert N, et al; for the Breast Cancer International Research Group (BCIRG). Adjuvant trastuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(14):1273-1283. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0910383. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Slamon D, Eiermann W, Robert N, et al; for the Breast Cancer International Research Group (BCIRG). Adjuvant trastuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(14):1273-1283. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0910383. Accessed June 24, 2019.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Combination chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab in treating women with breast cancer. NCT00021255 updated November 15, 2016. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00021255. Accessed June 24, 2019.
ClinicalTrials.gov. Combination chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab in treating women with breast cancer. NCT00021255 updated November 15, 2016. At: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00021255. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Jackisch C. HER-2-positive metastatic breast cancer: optimizing trastuzumab-based therapy. Oncologist. 2006;11(suppl 1):34-41. At: http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/11/suppl_1/34.full.pdf+html. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Jackisch C. HER-2-positive metastatic breast cancer: optimizing trastuzumab-based therapy. Oncologist. 2006;11(suppl 1):34-41. At: http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/11/suppl_1/34.full.pdf+html. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Slamon DJ, Leyland-Jones B, Shak S, et al. Use of chemotherapy plus a monoclonal antibody against HER2 for metastatic breast cancer that overexpresses HER2. N Engl J Med. 2001;344(11):783-792. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200103153441101. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Slamon DJ, Leyland-Jones B, Shak S, et al. Use of chemotherapy plus a monoclonal antibody against HER2 for metastatic breast cancer that overexpresses HER2. N Engl J Med. 2001;344(11):783-792. At: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200103153441101. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Marty M, Cognetti F, Maraninchi D, et al; for the M77001 Study Group. Randomized Phase II trial of the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab combined with docetaxel in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive metastatic breast cancer administered as first-line treatment: the M77001 Study Group. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23(19):4265-4274. At: https://ascopubs.org/doi/pdf/10.1200/JCO.2005.04.173. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Marty M, Cognetti F, Maraninchi D, et al; for the M77001 Study Group. Randomized Phase II trial of the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab combined with docetaxel in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive metastatic breast cancer administered as first-line treatment: the M77001 Study Group. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23(19):4265-4274. At: https://ascopubs.org/doi/pdf/10.1200/JCO.2005.04.173. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Bang Y-J, Van Cutsem E, Feyereislova A, et al; for the ToGA Trial Investigators. Trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer (ToGA): a phase 3, open-label, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2010;376(9742):687-697. At: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)61121-X/fulltext. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Bang Y-J, Van Cutsem E, Feyereislova A, et al; for the ToGA Trial Investigators. Trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer (ToGA): a phase 3, open-label, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2010;376(9742):687-697. At: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)61121-X/fulltext. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Data on file. Genentech, Inc.
Data on file. Genentech, Inc.
Witton CJ, Reeves JR, Going JJ, Cooke TG, Bartlett JMS. Expression of the HER1-4 family of receptor tyrosine kinases in breast cancer. J Pathol. 2003;200(3):290-297. At: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/path.1370. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Witton CJ, Reeves JR, Going JJ, Cooke TG, Bartlett JMS. Expression of the HER1-4 family of receptor tyrosine kinases in breast cancer. J Pathol. 2003;200(3):290-297. At: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/path.1370. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Valabrega G, Montemurro F, Aglietta M. Trastuzumab: mechanism of action, resistance and future perspectives in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2007;18(6):977-984. At: https://academic.oup.com/annonc/article/18/6/977/241334. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Valabrega G, Montemurro F, Aglietta M. Trastuzumab: mechanism of action, resistance and future perspectives in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2007;18(6):977-984. At: https://academic.oup.com/annonc/article/18/6/977/241334. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Molina MA, Codony-Servat J, Albanell J, Rojo F, Arribas J, Baselga J. Trastuzumab (Herceptin), a humanized anti-HER2 receptor monoclonal antibody, inhibits basal and activated HER2 ectodomain cleavage in breast cancer cells. Cancer Res. 2001;61(12):4744-4749. At: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/61/12/4744.full-text.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2019.
Molina MA, Codony-Servat J, Albanell J, Rojo F, Arribas J, Baselga J. Trastuzumab (Herceptin), a humanized anti-HER2 receptor monoclonal antibody, inhibits basal and activated HER2 ectodomain cleavage in breast cancer cells. Cancer Res. 2001;61(12):4744-4749. At: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/61/12/4744.full-text.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2019.
MMIT Analysis.
MMIT Analysis.
IQVIA Plantrak Corticosteroid Data.
IQVIA Plantrak Corticosteroid Data.
HLI lives database.
HLI lives database.
The BrandX™ Co-pay Card Program may help lower the out-of-pocket costs for your patients.
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Under the Program, the patient may pay a co-pay. The final amount owed by a patient may be as little as $0 for the Genentech medicine (see Program specific details). The total patient out-of-pocket cost is dependent on the patient’s health insurance plan. The Program assists with the cost of the Genentech medicine only. It does not assist with the cost of other medicines, procedures or office visit fees. After reaching the maximum annual Program benefit amount, the patient will be responsible for all remaining out-of-pocket expenses. The Program benefit amount cannot exceed the patient’s out-of-pocket expenses for the cost associated with the Genentech medicine. The maximum Program benefit will reset every January 1st. The Program is not health insurance or a benefit plan. The patient’s non-governmental insurance is the primary payer. The Program does not obligate the use of any specific medicine or provider. Patients receiving assistance from charitable free medicine programs (such as the Genentech Patient Foundation) or any other charitable organizations for the same expenses covered by the Program are not eligible. The Program benefit cannot be combined with any other rebate, free trial or a similar offer for the Genentech medicine. No party may seek reimbursement for all or any part of the benefit received through the Program.
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