Biological Therapy (Immunotherapy)

Cancer and its treatment often weaken the immune system. Biological therapy, also called biotherapy or immunotherapy, is the use of natural or synthetic substances to stimulate and strengthen the immune system. This therapy can be used to fight cancer or reversing the side effects caused by the treatment. The most commonly used drugs in immunotherapy include:  

Trastuzumab (Herceptin) - This medication is sometimes very effective in fighting breast cancer. It is a monoclonal antibody that reacts against HER2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2)-Neu, a protein of which level is aggressively higher in approximately 20% of patients treated for breast cancer. Along with chemotherapy, herceptin can shrink or eliminate the tumor. Trastuzumab is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for the treatment of breast cancer.  

Bevacizumab (Avastin) - Avastin is a humanized monoclonal antibody that works by binding to VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and inhibits its binding to its receptor Flt-1 (VEGFR-1) and KDR (VEGFR-2), two chemicals located at the surface of endothelial cells that contribute in the growth of new blood vessels. In a simple term, Avastin inhibits the formation of new blood vessels and prevents them from growing. Being unable to grow, cancer cells end up dying. Avastin is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the biological therapy of breast cancer.  

Lapatinib (Tykerb) – in 2007, this drug was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose tumors overexpress HER2, and who have received prior therapy including anthracycline, taxane, and herceptin^® .