Trop-2 Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Metastatic Breast Cancer
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.
Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy) is a Trop-2 antibody-drug conjugate. It combines a Trop-2 antibody and the chemotherapy drug SN-38. This combination allows the targeted delivery of SN-38 to cancer cells that express Trop-2.
Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy) and metastatic breast cancer treatment
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.
It 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 women with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer more time before the cancer spreads and may improve survival [53-54,122-123].
| 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.
How is sacituzumab govitecan given?
Sacituzumab govitecan is given by vein (through an IV).
Side effects of sacituzumab govitecan
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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. |
Adapted from select sources [54-55]. |
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Monitoring metastatic breast cancer
You’ll be monitored (checked) regularly with scans to see if the cancer is responding to treatment. If it’s no longer working, or if the side effects are not manageable, your health care provider will change your treatment.
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.
Consider joining a clinical trial when your oncologist is considering changing treatments, before starting a new treatment or when there are limited treatment options.
Susan G. Komen® Breast Care Helpline |
If you or a loved one needs information or resources about clinical trials, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (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. |
Learn more about clinical trials for people with metastatic breast cancer.
Prescription drug assistance
The cost of drug therapies for metastatic breast cancer can quickly become a financial burden for you and your family.
Medicare and many insurance companies offer prescription drug plans. One may already be included in your policy, or you may be able to buy an extra plan for prescriptions.
Some drugs are off-patent and may have a generic form. Generic drugs cost less than the name brands but are just as effective.
You may also qualify for programs that help with drug costs or offer low-cost or free prescriptions.
Learn more about insurance plans and prescription drug assistance programs.
Learn more 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. Funding is available for eligible individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment at any stage or living with metastatic breast cancer (stage IV). To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla español. |
SUSAN G. KOMEN® SUPPORT RESOURCES |
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*Please note, the information provided within Komen Perspectives articles is only current as of the date of posting. Therefore, some information may be out of date.
Updated 02/13/23
