HER2 Inhibitor

A substance that blocks the activity of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). HER2 is found on the surface of some normal cells, but is also found in larger than normal amounts on the surface of some types of cancer cells, including breast, ovarian, bladder, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. This overabundance of HER2 proteins may cause cancer cells to grow more quickly and spread to other parts of the body. Blocking HER2 may keep cancer cells from growing. Checking the amount of HER2 on some types of cancer cells may help plan treatment. HER2 inhibitors (also called anti-HER2 therapies or HER2-targeted therapies) are a class of medicines used to treat all stages of HER2-positive breast cancer, from early-stage to metastatic. Also called c-erbB-2, HER2/neu, and human EGF receptor 2.