02/11/2025
Enhertu (generic name: trastuzumab deruxtecan) is a targeted cancer medicine used mainly to treat certain types of HER2-positive or HER2-low cancers.
Here’s a simple explanation 👇
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💊 1. What it is
Enhertu is a HER2-directed antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) — meaning it combines:
A monoclonal antibody (trastuzumab) that finds and binds to HER2-positive cancer cells, and
A chemotherapy drug (deruxtecan) attached to it, which is delivered directly into the cancer cell once the antibody binds.
This design allows it to target cancer cells more precisely while causing less damage to healthy cells compared to regular chemotherapy.
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🧬 2. What it treats
Enhertu is approved for:
HER2-positive breast cancer (especially when other HER2 drugs have failed)
HER2-low breast cancer (a newer category)
HER2-positive gastric (stomach) cancer
HER2-mutated lung cancer (NSCLC)
Researchers are also testing it in other HER2-expressing solid tumors.
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⚙️ 3. How it works
It attaches to the HER2 receptor on cancer cells → enters the cell → releases its chemotherapy payload (deruxtecan) → kills the cancer cell from inside.
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⚠️ 4. Side effects
Common:
Nausea, fatigue, hair loss, decreased blood counts
Serious (but less common):
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) — inflammation or scarring of lungs (requires close monitoring)
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🧭 5. Brand info
Manufacturer: Daiichi Sankyo & AstraZeneca
Form: Intravenous (IV) infusion, usually given every 3 weeks
Type: Targeted therapy / Antibody–Drug Conjugate (ADC)
