1. What is pertuzumab?
Pertuzumab is a targeted or biological therapy drug. Targeted therapies block the growth and spread of cancer. They target and interfere with processes in the cells that cause cancer to grow.
Pertuzumab is the non-branded name of the drug. Its brand name is Perjeta.
When pertuzumab is combined with the drug trastuzumab in an injection its brand name is Phesgo.
2. Who might be offered pertuzumab?
You will only be offered pertuzumab if your breast cancer is HER2-positive.
If your breast cancer is HER2-negative, pertuzumab will not be of any benefit to you.
3. When is pertuzumab given?
Before surgery
Pertuzumab can be given before surgery to treat HER2-positive:
- Primary breast cancer that’s at high risk of coming back (recurrence)
After surgery
Pertuzumab can be given after surgery to people whose HER2-positive breast cancer is at high risk of coming back.
To treat secondary or locally advanced breast cancer
Pertuzumab can be used to treat HER2-positive:
- Locally advanced breast cancer that cannot be removed by surgery
Pertuzumab is only suitable for people who haven’t previously had targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab, or chemotherapy for secondary or locally advanced breast cancer.
You may also be offered pertuzumab as part of a clinical trial.
4. How is pertuzumab given?
Pertuzumab can be given:
- As a drip into a vein (intravenously), usually in the hand or arm
- As an injection into the fatty tissue under the skin (subcutaneous injection) in your thigh
It’s given once every 3 weeks. This is known as a cycle.
You’ll have your treatment as an outpatient at the hospital.
Pertuzumab is given:
- For primary breast cancer, in combination with the targeted therapy trastuzumab and chemotherapy
- For secondary or locally advanced breast cancer, in combination with trastuzumab and a chemotherapy drug called docetaxel
Into a vein
It usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes to have intravenous pertuzumab.
The drug may be given through a tube that’s put into the vein each time you have the treatment. It can also be given through a device that stays in place throughout the whole course of the treatment.
As an injection
The injection usually takes around 8 minutes for the first dose and around 5 minutes for future doses.
The injection is a combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab. You may hear it called by its brand name Phesgo.
How long will I have pertuzumab for?
Before surgery, pertuzumab is given for 3 to 6 cycles alongside trastuzumab and chemotherapy.
After surgery, it’s given alongside trastuzumab and chemotherapy for around 1 year.
Some people have pertuzumab before and after surgery. Up to 18 cycles can be given in total.
For secondary or locally advanced breast cancer that can’t be removed by surgery, you will continue to have it alongside trastuzumab after the chemotherapy has finished for as long as your treatment team feels you’re benefiting from the treatment and tolerating any side effects.
5. Side effects of pertuzumab
Like any drug, pertuzumab can cause side effects. Everyone reacts differently to drugs and some people have more side effects than others.
Side effects can usually be controlled and those described here will not affect everyone.
Because it’s given alongside other drugs, you may have side effects from these too. It’s sometimes difficult to know which drug causes which side effects.
Find out more about side effects of:
If you’re concerned about any side effects, regardless of whether they’re listed here, tell your treatment team.
Common side effects
Diarrhoea and constipation
Tell your specialist or GP if you have diarrhoea or constipation as they can prescribe drugs to help.
Contact your treatment team if you have four or more episodes of diarrhoea within 24 hours.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid getting dehydrated.
Itchy skin with or without a rash
This can be uncomfortable, but regularly using a moisturiser and a high-factor sunscreen when out in the sun may help.
Your treatment team may suggest drugs such as antihistamines to reduce itching.
Upper respiratory tract infections
These affect the nose, sinuses and throat.
You may develop a cough, shortness of breath, headaches, a blocked nose or a sore throat.
Sore mouth
Your mouth may become sore, dry or painful and you may get ulcers.
You may be given mouthwash to reduce soreness of the mouth and gums and to try to stop mouth ulcers developing.
Looking after your mouth, including your teeth and gums, is very important during treatment.
It’s advisable to see your dentist for a dental check-up before your treatment begins.
Check with your treatment team before having any dental work done.
Increased risk of infection
Having this treatment can affect the number of healthy blood cells in the body. Not having enough white blood cells can increase the risk of getting an infection.
Your risk of infection is higher if you’re also having chemotherapy.
Signs of an infection
Your treatment team may give you guidelines to follow for reporting signs of an infection. But generally you should contact your hospital immediately if you experience any of the following:
- A high temperature (over 37.5°C) or low temperature (under 36°C), or whatever your treatment team has advised
- Suddenly feeling unwell, even with a normal temperature
- Symptoms of an infection, for example a sore throat, a cough, a need to pass urine frequently or feeling cold or shivery
Before you start pertuzumab your treatment team should give you a 24-hour contact number or tell you where to get emergency care.
Anaemia
Having too few red blood cells is called anaemia. If you feel particularly tired, breathless or dizzy, let your treatment team know.
Hair thinning or hair loss
Pertuzumab and trastuzumab do not usually cause people to lose their hair.
Any hair loss caused by chemotherapy should be temporary and in most cases your hair will begin to grow back once your chemotherapy has ended.
Extreme tiredness
Fatigue is extreme tiredness and exhaustion that doesn’t go away with rest or sleep.
Find out more about coping with fatigue.
Flu-like symptoms
Fever, chills, mild pain in some parts of the body and headaches can occur during or shortly after your treatment. Taking pain relief can help.
Nausea and vomiting
You may feel sick (nausea) or be sick (vomit). Anti-sickness drugs will be prescribed to help with this.
If your sickness is not controlled by these, tell your treatment team as they may be able to change your anti-sickness drugs.
Change in taste
You may experience changes in taste and some foods may taste different, for example more salty, bitter or metallic.
It can help to try different types of food to find the ones you prefer to eat.
Loss of appetite
You may not feel like eating, especially if you’re feeling sick. It might help to eat small meals regularly and drink plenty of fluids.
Joint pain and stiffness
Your muscles and joints may ache, or you might feel stiff. Taking regular pain relief can help. Talk to your treatment team for advice.
Eye problems
Your eyes may feel watery or may become sore, red and itchy. Your doctor can prescribe eye drops to help prevent this.
Tummy (abdominal) pain and indigestion
You may have tummy pain. You may also have indigestion or heartburn, which is a burning feeling in the lower chest. Let your treatment team know if you have any of these side effects. They can prescribe medications to help.
Difficulty sleeping
If you have difficulty sleeping (insomnia), simple things like limiting caffeine in the afternoon and evening, keeping your room dark and quiet, and going to bed and getting up at a set time each day may help.
Relaxation exercises can also be helpful. There are CDs, podcasts, phone apps and YouTube tutorials that can guide you through these techniques.
If your insomnia lasts, your GP may prescribe something to help you sleep.
Less common side effects
Allergic reaction
Some people have a reaction while having pertuzumab or a few hours afterwards. Reactions may vary from mild to severe, although severe reactions are uncommon.
Reactions may include:
- Fever (high temperature)
- Flushing
- Feeling sick
- Faintness
- Shivering
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Back pain
- Itchy rash
You’ll be monitored closely during your treatment so that any reaction can be dealt with immediately.
If you have any of these symptoms soon after your treatment, contact your treatment team straight away.
Heart problems
Tell your treatment team if you feel like your heart is racing, or you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
You’ll have heart tests before starting treatment and regularly throughout to check how your heart is working. This could be an echocardiogram (echo) or a multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA) scan.
Any problems should stop when the treatment has finished.
Rare side effects
Inflammation of the lungs
Pertuzumab can cause severe inflammation of the lungs.
Contact your treatment team straight away if you have any new or worsening symptoms involving your lungs including:
- Difficulty or discomfort with breathing
- Shortness of breath at rest or during mild activity
- Dry cough
- Chest pain
6. Other important information
Blood clots
People with breast cancer have a higher risk of blood clots such as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Their risk is higher because of the cancer itself and some treatments for breast cancer. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (secondary breast cancer), this also increases the risk.
People with a DVT are at risk of developing a pulmonary embolism (PE). This is when part of the blood clot breaks away and travels to the lung.
Blood clots can be harmful but are treatable so it’s important to report symptoms as soon as possible.
Blood clot symptoms
Contact your treatment team or go to your local A&E department straight away if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Pain, redness/discolouration of the skin, heat and swelling of the arm or leg
- Swelling, redness or tenderness where a central line is inserted to give chemotherapy, for example in the arm, chest area or up into the neck
- Shortness of breath
- Pain or tightness in the chest
- Unexplained cough or coughing up blood
Find out more about blood clots.
Sex, contraception and pregnancy
Having pertuzumab while pregnant may be harmful to a developing baby.
Some women can still become pregnant even if their periods are irregular or have stopped.
Women who are sexually active with a chance of becoming pregnant should continue using an effective barrier contraception during and for six months after stopping treatment.
The effects of pertuzumab on both female or male fertility are not known.
Pertuzumab and breastfeeding
You’ll be advised not to breastfeed during treatment. This is because there’s a chance your baby may absorb the drug through your breast milk, which may cause harm.
Vaccinations
Always check with your treatment team before having any vaccinations while having pertuzumab.
If you’re planning a trip and need vaccinations, discuss this with your treatment team.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination
People having pertuzumab are advised to speak to their treatment team before having the coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination.
Flu vaccination
Anyone at risk of a weakened immune system, and therefore more prone to infection, should have the flu vaccine. This includes people having, or due to have, treatment for breast cancer. Talk to your treatment team about the best time to have your flu jab.
7. Further support
Being diagnosed with breast cancer can make you feel lonely and isolated.
Many people find it helps to talk to someone who has been through the same experience as them. You can ask questions and chat to other people on our online forum.
