This glossary will help you become more familiar with new words you’ll hear during your treatment for HER2+ breast cancer.
- Adjuvant treatment
Treatment given after surgery to kill any cancer cells left behind after surgery.
- Cancer cell
A cell that divides and reproduces abnormally with uncontrolled growth. This cell can break away, travel to other parts of the body, and then set up at another site. This process is referred to as metastasis.
- Chemotherapy
A type of medication that kills cells that grow and divide rapidly, including cancer cells and normal cells.
- Early breast cancer
Breast cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or the axillary lymph nodes.
- HER2 receptor
A type of protein that is found on the surface of cells in everyone. This protein tells cells to grow and divide. Too much HER2 is called “HER2 overexpression” and may result in the cells growing and dividing more quickly.
- HER2-positive (HER2+)
HER2 stands for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. When breast cancer cells have too many HER2 receptors, they are called HER2-positive, or HER2+ breast cancer.
- HER2-targeted therapies
A type of targeted cancer treatment that binds to HER2 receptors to fight cancer cells that have too many HER2 receptors.
- Hormone receptor
A protein on the edge or inside of cells to which hormones attach.
- IV (intravenous)
A method of administering a drug by inserting a needle into a vein.
- Infusion
A method of putting fluids, including drugs, into the bloodstream. Also called intravenous infusion.
- Lymph nodes
Small, bean-shaped structures found throughout the body that store white blood cells and help remove cell waste, germs, and other harmful substances from the body.
- Metastatic breast cancer
Breast cancer that has spread outside the breast to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or bones.
- Neoadjuvant treatment
Treatment given before surgery to help reduce or get rid of cancer cells before surgery.
- Port
A surgically implanted disc through which blood can be taken and medication can be given without repeated needle sticks; also called a “port-a-cath.”
- Targeted cancer treatment
A type of medication that targets specific characteristics of cancer cells.
- Tumor
An abnormal mass or growth of tissue that occurs when cells divide too rapidly in an uncontrolled way. Tumors that are malignant are known as cancer.
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Who is KADCYLA for?
Early Breast Cancer
KADCYLA is a prescription medicine used as an adjuvant (after surgery) treatment for HER2-positive early breast cancer when the patient has taken neoadjuvant (before surgery) treatment including a taxane and trastuzumab (Herceptin®) and there is cancer remaining in the tissue removed during surgery.
Patients are selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved test for KADCYLA.
Metastatic Breast Cancer
KADCYLA is a prescription medicine used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer) after prior treatment with trastuzumab (Herceptin®) and a taxane. Prior treatment could have been for the initial treatment of breast cancer or for the treatment of cancer that had spread to other parts of the body.
Patients are selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved test for KADCYLA.
Important Safety Information
What is the most Important Safety Information I should know about KADCYLA?
Liver problems
- KADCYLA may cause severe liver problems that can be life-threatening. Symptoms of liver problems may include vomiting, nausea, eating disorder (anorexia), yellowing of the skin (jaundice), stomach pain, dark urine, or itching
Heart problems
- KADCYLA may cause heart problems, including those without symptoms (such as reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (such as congestive heart failure). Symptoms may include swelling of the ankles or legs, shortness of breath, cough, rapid weight gain of more than 5 pounds in 24 hours, dizziness or loss of consciousness, or irregular heartbeat
Pregnancy
- Receiving KADCYLA during pregnancy can result in the death of an unborn baby and birth defects. Birth control should be used while you receive KADCYLA and for 7 months after your last dose of KADCYLA
- If you think you may be pregnant, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately
- If you are exposed to KADCYLA during pregnancy or if you become pregnant within 7 months following your last dose of KADCYLA, you are encouraged to report KADCYLA exposure to Genentech by calling 1-888-835-2555
- If you are a male patient with a female partner that could become pregnant, birth control should be used during treatment and for 4 months following your last dose of KADCYLA
- You should not breastfeed during treatment and for 7 months after the last dose of KADCYLA
Contact your doctor right away if you experience symptoms associated with these side effects.
What are the additional possible serious side effects of KADCYLA?
Lung problems
- KADCYLA may cause lung problems, including inflammation of the lung tissue, which can be life-threatening. Signs of lung problems may include trouble breathing, cough, tiredness, and fluid in the lungs
Infusion-related reactions
- Symptoms of an infusion-related reaction may include one or more of the following: the skin getting hot or red (flushing), chills, fever, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, wheezing, tightening of the muscles in the chest around the airways, or a fast heartbeat. Your doctor will monitor you for infusion-related reactions
Serious bleeding
- KADCYLA can cause life-threatening bleeding. Taking KADCYLA with other medications used to thin your blood (antiplatelet) or prevent blood clots (anticoagulation) can increase your risk of bleeding. Your doctor should provide additional monitoring if you are taking one of these other drugs while on KADCYLA. Even when blood thinners are not also being taken, life-threatening bleeding may occur with KADCYLA
Low platelet count
- Low platelet count may happen during treatment with KADCYLA. Platelets help your blood to clot. Signs of low platelets may include easy bruising, bleeding, and prolonged bleeding from cuts. In mild cases there may not be any symptoms
Nerve damage
- Symptoms may include numbness and tingling, burning or sharp pain, sensitivity to touch, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, or loss of muscle function. Your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of nerve damage
Skin reactions around the infusion site
- KADCYLA may leak from the vein or needle and cause reactions such as redness, tenderness, skin irritation, or pain or swelling at the infusion site. If this happens, it is more likely to happen within 24 hours of the infusion
What are the most common side effects of KADCYLA?
The most common side effects in people taking KADCYLA for early breast cancer are:
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Liver problems
- Pain that affects the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Bleeding
- Low platelet count
- Headache
- Weakness, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet
- Joint pain
The most common side effects seen in people taking KADCYLA for metastatic breast cancer are:
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Pain that affects the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Bleeding
- Low platelet count
- Headache
- Liver problems
- Constipation
- Nosebleeds
You are encouraged to report side effects to Genentech and the FDA. You may contact Genentech by calling 1-888-835-2555. You may contact the FDA by visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
Talk to a healthcare professional for more information about the benefits and risks of KADCYLA.
Please see full Prescribing Information for Important Safety Information, including most serious side effects.
If you cannot afford your medication, visit genentech-access.com/patient for financial assistance information.
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This image shows a normal cell with a normal amount of HER2, in which cells grow and divide normally; and a HER2+ cancer cell with too much HER2, in which cells grow and divide faster.
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This image shows lymph nodes to which breast cancer can spread, such as those around or near the collarbone, in the armpits, and near the breastbone.
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Overview
This image shows what your treatment plan may look like.Details
- Diagnosis
- Neoadjuvant treatment
- Surgery
- Adjuvant treatment
- If SOME cancer cells are present in the tissue removed (known as residual disease), you may start on KADCYLA
- If NO cancer cells are present in the tissue removed, you do not have residual disease. KADCYLA is not approved for this use, but you may receive other treatment options.
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Overview
This image provides information about neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment.Details
Neoadjuvant treatment (before surgery)
One of the goals of neoadjuvant treatment is to help reduce or get rid of cancer cells before surgery.Adjuvant treatment (after surgery)
Adjuvant treatment is given with the intent to kill any cancer cells left behind after surgery. -
Overview
This image shows what happened three years after people started the study.Details
Three years after people started the study:- Eighty-eight percent of the 743 people who received KADCYLA were still cancer free, compared to 77% of the 743 people who received Herceptin
- The chance of cancer coming back was lowered by 50% for people who received KADCYLA compared to people who received Herceptin
At this time of this data review, it was too early in the study to determine if people lived longer with KADCYLA. However, people in the study will continue to be followed and evaluated.
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This image shows that 1 infusion of KADCYLA is given every 3 weeks for 14 cycles.
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This image shows that the first infusion of KADCYLA takes 90 minutes. If prior infusions were well tolerated, all other infusions take 30 minutes.
Your healthcare team will wait at least 90 minutes after the first infusion, and at least 30 minutes after each following infusion, to check for any reactions. If side effects occur, they may adjust, delay, or stop your treatment.
Wait 3 weeks between infusions.
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This image shows a normal cell with a normal amount of HER2, in which cells grow and divide normally; and a HER2+ cancer cell with too much HER2, in which cells grow and divide faster.
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This image shows that 1 infusion of KADCYLA is given every 3 weeks.
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This image shows that the first infusion of KADCYLA takes 90 minutes. If prior infusions were well tolerated, all other infusions take 30 minutes.
Your healthcare team will wait at least 90 minutes after the first infusion, and at least 30 minutes after each following infusion, to check for any reactions. If side effects occur, they may adjust, delay, or stop your treatment.
Wait 3 weeks between infusions.