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The Making of Herceptin: A Revolutionary Treatment for Breast Cancer

Edwin Cox

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Published in Her 2: The Making Of Herceptin A Revolutionary Treatment For Breast Cancer

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In 1978, a young scientist named Dennis Slamon made a discovery that would change the course of cancer treatment. He found that a protein called HER2 was overexpressed in about 25% of breast cancers. This discovery led to the development of Herceptin, a targeted therapy that has saved the lives of countless women with breast cancer.

Her-2: The Making of Herceptin, a Revolutionary Treatment for Breast Cancer

by Robert Bazell

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	306 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	228 pages

The Making of Herceptin tells the story of the development of this groundbreaking drug. It is a story of scientific discovery, perseverance, and hope.

The Discovery of HER2

Dennis Slamon was a young scientist working at the University of California, Los Angeles, when he made his discovery about HER2. He was studying the genetics of breast cancer, and he noticed that a particular gene, called the HER2 gene, was amplified in some breast cancer cells. This meant that these cells were producing more HER2 protein than normal.

Slamon's discovery was significant because HER2 is a growth factor receptor. This means that it helps cancer cells grow and divide. By targeting HER2, it would be possible to stop the growth of cancer cells.

The Development of Herceptin

After Slamon's discovery, researchers at Genentech began working on developing a drug that could target HER2. They eventually developed a monoclonal antibody called trastuzumab, which binds to HER2 and prevents it from functioning.

In 1998, Herceptin was approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. It was the first targeted therapy to be approved for the treatment of any type of cancer.

The Impact of Herceptin

Herceptin has had a profound impact on the treatment of breast cancer. It has improved survival rates for women with HER2-positive breast cancer, and it has also reduced the risk of recurrence of the disease.

Herceptin is now one of the most widely used cancer drugs in the world. It is a testament to the power of scientific discovery and the dedication of researchers and clinicians who are committed to finding new and better ways to treat cancer.

The Making of Herceptin is a fascinating and inspiring story. It is a story of scientific discovery, perseverance, and hope. It is a story that shows that anything is possible when we set our minds to it.

If you are interested in the history of medicine, cancer research, or the development of new drugs, then I highly recommend reading The Making of Herceptin.

You can Free Download your copy of The Making of Herceptin today at Our Book Library.com.

Her-2: The Making of Herceptin, a Revolutionary Treatment for Breast Cancer

by Robert Bazell

4.4 out of 5