Trop-2 Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Read our blog, Antibody-Drug Conjugates – What Do They Mean for Patients?
What are antibody-drug conjugates?
Special antibody drugs are designed to target certain cancer cells. Antibody-drug conjugates are a combination of an antibody therapy and a chemotherapy drug. Combining these into one drug allows the targeted delivery of the chemotherapy to specific cancer cells.
What are Trop-2 antibody-drug conjugates?
Most breast cancers have cells that express the protein Trop-2.
Trop-2 antibody-drug conjugate drugs combine a Trop-2 antibody and a chemotherapy drug. This combination allows the targeted delivery of the chemotherapy to cancer cells that express Trop-2.
The Trop-2 antibody-drug conjugates FDA-approved for metastatic breast cancer treatment are:
Drug name |
Brand name |
How is it given? |
Sacituzumab govitecan |
Trodelvy |
Through an IV into a vein |
Datopotamab deruxtecan |
Datroway |
Through an IV into a vein |
Watch our video on Trop-2 and how antibody-drug conjugates target it.
Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy) and metastatic breast cancer treatment
Sacituzumab govitecan is a combination of a Trop-2 antibody and the chemotherapy drug SN-38. It allows the targeted delivery of SN-38 to cancer cells that express Trop-2.
Sacituzumab govitecan is FDA-approved for the treatment of some HER2-negative metastatic breast cancers.
It can be used to treat hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancers that have already been treated with hormone therapy in either the early or metastatic breast cancer setting and with at least 2 other drug therapies in the metastatic setting.
Sacituzumab govitecan can also be used to treat metastatic triple negative breast cancers that have already been treated with at least 2 drug therapies (at least one in the metastatic setting).
Compared to chemotherapy, sacituzumab govitecan may give people with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer more time before the cancer worsens and may improve survival [67-69].
| For a summary of research studies on sacituzumab govitecan and metastatic breast cancer treatment, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section. |
Learn more about treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Learn about emerging areas in the treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Learn more about triple negative breast cancer.
Datopotamab deruxtecan (Datroway) and metastatic breast cancer treatment
Datopotamab deruxtecan is a combination of a Trop-2 antibody and the chemotherapy drug deruxtecan. It allows the targeted delivery of deruxtecan to cancer cells that express Trop-2.
Datopotamab deruxtecan is FDA-approved for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancers that have already been treated with both hormone therapy and chemotherapy in metastatic setting.
Compared to chemotherapy, datopotamab deruxtecan may give people with hormone receptor, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer more time before the cancer worsens [92].
| For a summary of research studies on datopotamab deruxtecan and metastatic breast cancer treatment, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section. |
Learn more about treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Learn about emerging areas in the treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
How are Trop-2 antibody-drug conjugates given?
Sacituzumab govitecan and datopotamab deruxtecan are given through an IV into a vein.
Talk with your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns about your medications.
Side effects of Trop-2 antibody-drug conjugates
Before you begin treatment with a Trop-2 antibody-drug conjugate, talk with your health care provider about possible side effects and how to manage them.
|
Side Effects |
Sacituzumab govitecan |
Possible side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anemia (low red blood cell counts), hair loss, constipation and rash. Sacituzumab govitecan increases the risk of having a low white blood cell count. Your blood cell counts will be monitored while taking sacituzumab govitecan. |
Datopotamab deruxtecan |
Possible side effects include nausea, fatigue, low white blood cell counts, hair loss, constipation and vomiting. Datopotamab deruxtecan can cause mouth sores. You will be prescribed a mouth wash containing a steroid to use. Datopotamab deruxtecan can cause eye problems such as dry eye, irritation of the cornea, pink eye and blurred vision. It’s recommended you use a lubricating eye drop while on this drug. In rare cases, datopotamab deruxtecan can cause lung inflammation, which can lead to death. Tell your health care provider right away if you have shortness of breath or other breathing problems while taking this drug. |
Adapted from select sources [69-70,134]. |
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Learn more about side effects.
Ashley Fernandez, living with metastatic breast cancer
“What keeps me going is my new normal. My life with cancer is completely different, I know I have it and I live with it every single day but it doesn’t take over every single day.”
Treatment guidelines for metastatic breast cancer
Although the exact treatment for metastatic breast cancer varies from person to person, guidelines help make sure high-quality care is given. These guidelines are based on the latest research and agreement among experts.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) are respected organizations that regularly review and update their guidelines.
In addition, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has treatment overviews.
Talk with your health care team about which treatment guidelines they follow.
Monitoring metastatic breast cancer
You’ll be monitored (checked) regularly with scans to see if the cancer is responding to treatment. If the treatment is no longer working, or you’re having a lot of side effects, your health care provider will change your treatment or discuss other options.
Learn more about how metastatic breast cancer is monitored.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials offer the chance to try new treatments and possibly benefit from them. We encourage you to talk with your health care provider and consider joining a clinical trial if there’s one right for you.
Many clinical trials are available. Some are available as the first treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Others are for treatments later in the disease course.
Consider joining a clinical trial when you’re newly diagnosed, when your oncologist is considering changing treatments or when there are limited treatment options.
Susan G. Komen® Patient Care Center |
If you or a loved one needs information or resources about clinical trials, the Patient Care Center can help. Contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877-465-6636 or email clinicaltrialinfo@komen.org. Se habla español. |
Metastatic Trial Search |
The Metastatic Trial Search is a web-based clinical trial matching tool that can help you find clinical trials that fit your needs. You can also register to receive Trial Alerts. |
Learn more about clinical trials for people with metastatic breast cancer.
Learn what Komen is doing to help people find and participate in breast cancer clinical trials, including trials supported by Komen.
Financial assistance
Costs related to metastatic breast cancer care can quickly become a financial burden. Dealing with finances and insurance can be overwhelming. Cancer or its treatments may also keep you or your partner from working as much as you used to, which can affect your income.
Many cancer centers have financial counselors who can discuss insurance and cost coverage with you.
Learn about insurance plans and prescription drug assistance programs.
Learn about other financial assistance programs.
Komen Financial Assistance Program |
Susan G. Komen® created the Komen Financial Assistance Program to help those struggling with the costs of breast cancer treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals. To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Patient Care Center at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla español. |
SUSAN G. KOMEN® METASTATIC BREAST CANCER SUPPORT RESOURCES |
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Updated 03/03/25
This content is regularly reviewed by an expert panel including researchers, practicing clinicians and patient advocates.
