Tykerb^®

Tykerb^® is used in combination with Xeloda^® (the brand name for capecitabine) in the treatment of metastatic (advanced) breast cancer. Tykerb^® may be an option for breast cancer patients who have had prior treatment, including an anthracycline, a taxane and Herceptin^®.

Short for "human epidermal growth factor receptor 2," HER2 is a particular type of protein that helps cells divide and grow. Approximately 20 to 25 percent of breast cancer tumors are HER2+ (HER2-positive), meaning that the cancerous cells produce (or overexpress) too much of the HER2 protein.

Tykerb^® is a targeted breast cancer treatment option for HER2+ breast cancer, meaning that it specifically targets tumor cells that have too many HER2 receptors. Tykerb^® works by finding breast cancer cells in parts of the body where they have spread, entering them and blocking the HER2 receptors. This may slow or stop tumor growth.

Our approach at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is to treat all of you, not just the cancer. One of the ways we do this is by keeping you well informed of developments and options that may play a role in your breast cancer treatment plan. We encourage you to become an active participant in your cancer care.

Chat now with an Oncology Information Specialist to learn more about our innovative approach to metastatic breast cancer treatment at CTCA.

Patients taking Tykerb^® may experience side effects. Some side effects of Tykerb^® are considered serious side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away:

• Variations in heart rate
• Considerable dizziness, light-headedness and/or fainting
• Severe diarrhea
• White patches or sores that develop in the mouth or appear on the lips

In most cases, though, Tykerb^® invokes less serious side effects. In these instances, users of Tykerb^® should continue taking Tykerb^® unless otherwise instructed by a doctor. Lesser side effects of Tykerb^® can include:

• Changes in normal digestive processes
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Upset stomach and/or loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
• Redness or pain in the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
• Fatigue
• Dry skin (Xerosis)
• Back pain
• Insomnia

In some cases, Tykerb^® may cause an allergic reaction. If you show the following signs of allergic reaction, stop taking Tykerb^® and get immediate medical attention:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Hives or rash

The above is not an all-inclusive list of possible side effects of Tykerb^®. Because every person is different, there is potential for some side effects not listed here to arise. If you are taking Tykerb^® and begin developing side effects that are persistent or bothersome, it is recommended that you discuss them with your doctor. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), your cancer care team can discuss the role Tykerb^® can play in your integrated breast cancer treatment plan.

Tykerb^® is used in treating metastatic HER2+ (HER2-positive) breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Because Tykerb^® can specifically target cancer cells, it can be an effective treatment option to find and combat breast cancer cells/tumors, wherever they have spread in the body. Because it is used in treating advanced breast cancer, it is not commonly a choice among patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage.

Tykerb^® is specifically indicated for use, along with Xeloda^®, in treating HER2+ metastatic breast cancer patients who have received prior therapy, including an anthracycline, a taxane and Herceptin^®.

Deciding if Tykerb^®, or other pharmaceutical options, would be ideal for your unique situation is just one of the many topics you can trust to your cancer care team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). To learn more about our whole-patient approach to breast cancer treatment, please contact an Oncology Information Specialist today at 800-615-3055.