Breast cancer - trastuzumab

Summary

NICE has recommended that trastuzumab (Herceptin) is used in combination with paclitaxel for women with tumours with excessive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) at levels of 3+ who have not had chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer and for whom anthracycline treatment is inappropriate.

Trastuzumab by itself is recommended for women with tumours with excessive HER2 at levels of 3+ who have had at least two chemotherapy treatments for metastatic breast cancer. Previous chemotherapy must have included at least an anthracycline drug and a taxane drug where these treatments are appropriate. It should also have included hormonal therapy in patients sensitive to oestrogen.

The level of HER2 protein in the body should be assessed by a clinician using appropriate standards and methods.

Documents

For healthcare professionals

• TA34 Breast cancer - trastuzumab: Guidance (html)
• TA34 Breast cancer - trastuzumab: Guidance

For patients, carers and the public

• TA34 Breast cancer - trastuzumab: Information for the public (pdf)
• TA34 Breast cancer - trastuzumab: Information for the public

Background information

• Review decision: reviews of TA guidance 34, 54 & 62
• Review proposal
• 2002/015 NICE recommends trastuzumab (Herceptin) for advanced breast cancer
• Assessment report on trastuzumab for advanced breast cancer

Implementing this guidance

Any further information NICE has produced to help the NHS implement this guideline locally is linked to below:

• None found