Gary Welch
Targeted Antibody Therapy in Breast Cancer, 2017
Digital illustration
Maxon Cinema 4D; Adobe After Effects; Adobe Photoshop
Tipping Point Media, LLC
Malvern, Pennsylvania, United States
This illustration shows how the HER2 (blue molecule) and HER3 (purple molecule) receptors are found in abnormally large numbers on some cancer cells (red cells). They transmit signals that allow cancer to grow and spread. To do so, they must come together as pairs (or dimers). Pertuzumab (orange antibody) is a dimerization inhibitor that specifically targets HER2. By physically blocking HER2 and its partner HER3 from coming together, pertuzumab can stop the growth of certain cancer cells. This new therapy overcomes a key resistance mechanism that cancers employed against older HER2-targeting therapies, and is more selective than chemotherapies, which may be toxic to both cancer cells and healthy cells. Pertuzumab is typically used in combination with other therapies.