How long can I stay on Herceptin?
Herceptin, blocks HER2 function (Her2 is a type of protein found in 15-20% of all breast cancers which makes the cancer more aggressive).
Treatment regimens for Herceptin vary depending on hospital protocols, but for the treatment of HER2+ early breast cancer, treatment is usually continued for one year (up to 18 cycles).
Some women are kept on Herceptin long-term if their cancer progresses. How long a women can stay on Herceptin for is not known. The main concerns with long-term therapy are the potential cardiac side effects of Herceptin.
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What are monoclonal antibodies?
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are man-made proteins that mimic the natural antibodies produced by our immune systems. Monoclonal antibodies can be formulated into medicines to treat various types of illnesses, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.
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What are biosimilar drugs and how do they compare to biologics?
A biosimilar is a biological product that is similar to a reference biologic (usually the originally approved product) and for which there are no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety, purity, and potency. The most recently approved biosimilar is Starjemza (ustekinumab-hmny), an interchangeable biosimilar to Stelara, cleared by the FDA on May 22, 2025.
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How soon can you start chemo after port placement?
Chemotherapy can typically begin within a few days to 2 weeks after port placement, depending on factors like healing progress and treatment urgency. While same-day chemotherapy is possible in some cases, most healthcare providers recommend a short waiting period to ensure proper recovery and port functionality.
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