Enhertu

Generic name:fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan
Dosage form: intravenous infusion
Drug class:HER2 inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Jun 3, 2022.

What is Enhertu?

Enhertu is a medicine used in adults to treat HER2-positive cancers which includes specific types of breast cancers and stomach cancers.  Enhertu is made up of two cancer-fighting medicines, a targeted cancer therapy and a chemotherapy drug.

Enhertu is usually given as an infusion into a vein every 3 weeks. The first infusion will take over 90 minutes but your next infusions are usually given over 30 minutes.

Enhertu (generic name: fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) is not the same medicine as trastuzumab or ado-trastuzumab emtansine. 

What is Enhertu used for?

Enhertu is used to treat adults with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive cancers:

• breast cancer that cannot be removed by surgery or that has spread to other parts of your body (metastatic),  and you have already received a prior anti-HER2 breast cancer treatment:
  • for metastatic disease, or
  • have breast cancer that has come back during or within 6 months of completing treatment for their early-stage breast cancer.
• specific stomach cancer called gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma that has spread to areas near your stomach (locally advanced) or that has spread to other parts of your body (metastatic), and if you have already received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen.

Enhertu was first approved by the FDA on December 20, 2019.

It is not known if this medicine is safe and effective in children.

How does Enhertu work?

Enhertu is a chemotherapy and a targeted cancer therapy as it is made up of two cancer-fighting medicines, a targeted cancer therapy joined to a chemotherapy drug. Enhertu works by preventing cancer cells from multiplying which slows the cancer growth and progression, and then its second action is to damage or kill the cancer cells.

The two active parts of Enhertu include:

• monoclonal antibody (fam-trastuzumab) which attaches to the HER2 receptor on cancer cells, this helps prevent cancer cells from multiplying which slows the cancer growth and cancer progression
• a type of chemotherapy (topoisomerase I inhibitor) which damages or causes death to cancer cells.

Important information 

Enhertu can cause serious side effects, including:

• Lung problems that may be severe, life-threatening or that may lead to death. If you develop lung problems your healthcare provider may treat you with corticosteroid medicines. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms:
  • cough
  • trouble breathing or shortness of breath
  • fever
  • other new or worsening breathing symptoms (e.g., chest tightness, wheezing)

• Low white blood cell count (neutropenia). Low white blood cell counts are common with this medici.