Buy Kadcyla (Trastuzumab Emtansine)

What is Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) for?

Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) is a HER2-targeted antibody and microtubule inhibitor conjugate indicated, as a single agent, for:

• The treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer in adults who previously received trastuzumab and a taxane (type of cancer medicine). Patients should have either:
  • Received prior therapy for metastatic disease (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body), or
  • Developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant therapy
• The adjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer who have residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant taxane and trastuzumab-based treatment.

This medicine is not (yet) part of our standard product range but we may be able to get it for you. The packaging size and strength below may vary due to product availability.

How does Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) work?

About a quarter of breast cancers are HER2-positive, which means that they overexpress HER2. HER2 is a protein that is found in large quantities on the surface of some cancer cells.

Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) has two active components:

• Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody (a type of protein), which can recognise and bind to HER2. By binding to HER2, trastuzumab can activate immune cells, which then attack and kill the cancer cells. Trastuzumab also stops HER2 from stimulating the growth of the cancer cells.
• DM1, a toxic substance that kills cells when they try to divide and grow.

When Kadcyla gets taken up by the cell, DM1 becomes active. It will attach to a protein in cells called ‘tubulin’, which is important in the process of cell division. By attaching to tubulin in cancer cells, DM1 can prevent the division and growth of the cancer cells.

Where has Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) been approved?

Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) was approved for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer by:

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA May 2019
• MedSafe, New Zealand September 2019
• The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia September 2019
• Health Canada November 2019
• The European Medicines Agency (EMA) January 2020

How is Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) taken?

The standard dosage is:

• 3.6 mg/kg body weight given as an intravenous infusion (drip) every 3 weeks

Patients receive treatment until their disease worsens or they experience unacceptable toxicity, or for a maximum of 14 cycles of 3 weeks.

Patients should be observed during and after the infusion for any infusion-related reactions. In patients who develop allergic reactions or side effects, the treating doctor may have to reduce the dose or (temporarily) stop treatment with Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine).

Are there any known adverse reactions or side effects of Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine)?

Common adverse reactions

Metastatic Breast Cancer

The most common side effects ( ≥25% of patients) listed in the prescribing information include:

• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Musculoskeletal pain (pain in muscles and bones)
• Hemorrhage
• Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet counts)
• Headache
• Increased transaminases
• Constipation
• Epistaxis

Early Breast Cancer

The most common side effects ( ≥25% of patients) listed in the prescribing information include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Increased transaminases
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Hemorrhage
• Thrombocytopenia
• Headache
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Arthralgia (joint pain)

Serious adverse reactions

The serious adverse reactions listed in the prescribing information include:

• Hepatotoxicity (liver damage)
• Cardiotoxicity (heart damage)