Trazimera: A Targeted Therapy for Breast and Stomach Cancer

Trazimera is a prescription medicine approved by the ኤፍዲኤ to treat breast and stomach (gastric) cancer[1]. Trazimera can be used alone or in combination with other drugs.

Trazimera is a form of targeted therapy that can slow cancer growth and spread in the body. Targeted therapy drugs such as Trazimera target and disrupt cell processes that promote cancer growth. 

Trazimera is approved for the treatment of early and advanced breast cancer, advanced stomach cancer, and cancer of the gastroesophageal junction (where the food pipe meets the stomach).

Trazimera ለማከም ምን ጥቅም ላይ ይውላል?

Trazimera is a cancer therapy medication that is used to treat the conditions listed below:

• Early breast cancer: Trazimera is used to treat patients who test positive for high levels of the HER2 protein with or without spread into the lymph nodes.
• Metastatic breast cancer: Trazimera is used to treat cancer that has spread to other body areas. It is used alone when other medicines have failed or are ineffective. It is also used in conjunction with other cancer medicines.
• Metastatic gastric cancer: Trazimera can treat patients with advanced stomach cancer with high levels of HER2 molecule. Trazimera is given in such cases in conjunction with capecitabine, cisplatin, or 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy.

How Does Trazimera Work?

Some breast and stomach cancer cells contain high amounts of HER2 protein on their surface. These proteins stimulate cell growth. One in every five cases of invasive breast cancer with the potential to spread to other areas of the body is HER2 positive.

Trastuzumab, the active ingredient in Trazimera, is a ሞኖክሎናል ፀረ እንግዳ አካላት. It is a protein that identifies and binds to the HER2 protein and prevents cancer cells from growing. It also helps the body’s immune system to remove breast cancer cells.

Side Effects of Trazimera

Trazimera may have mild to severe side effects. Here are some of the most severe and mild side effects:

ከባድ የጎንዮሽ ጉዳቶች

ከባድ የጎንዮሽ ጉዳቶች የሚከተሉትን ያካትታሉ:

• New or worsening cough
• በአንገት ወይም በጆሮ ላይ መምታት
• መፍዘዝ
• የመዋጥ ችግር
• ከባድ ራስ ምታት
• Blisters or ulcers in the mouth
• የደበዘዘ እይታ
• Red or swollen gums
• የልብ ችግሮች; Skin sores, easy bruising, fever, chills, tiredness, unusual bleeding, paleness, feeling light-headed, changes in complexion, cold hands and feet
• Symptoms of tumor cell breakdown: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, weakness, muscular cramps, fast or slow heart rate, and tingling in the hands or feet

መለስተኛ የጎንዮሽ ጉዳቶች

መጠነኛ የጎንዮሽ ጉዳቶች የሚከተሉትን ያካትታሉ: 

• Heart issues
• ማቅለሽለሽ
• ተቅማጥ
• ክብደት መቀነስ
• ራስ ምታት
• የመተኛት ችግር
• ድካም
• Low blood cell counts
• ሽፍታ
• Fever, chills, cough, or other indicators of infection
• የአፍ ቁስሎች
• Changed sense of taste
• Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus discomfort, and sore throat

This is not a complete list of all of the possible side effects. Some side effects may occur during or after the infusion. For medical advice on side effects, contact your provider.

ዶክተርዎን መቼ ማማከር አለብዎት

The following symptoms need medical attention but are not life-threatening. If you experience any of the following symptoms, please call your physician within 24 hours:

• Nausea: Difficulties with eating that are not relieved by prescribed medication.
• Vomiting: More than four to five episodes in 24 hours 
• Diarrhea: Four to six times in 24 hours
• Foot or ankle swelling 
• Unexplained weight increase
• Infection symptoms: Includes redness or swelling, difficulty swallowing, spitting up mucus, or painful urination
• Pain that is not improved by medicine

ቅድመ ጥንቃቄዎች

• Inform your doctor about any other drugs you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• It is not advised to conceive (get pregnant) when using Trazimera. Condoms and other barrier contraceptive methods are recommended. Consult your physician regarding when to safely become pregnant or conceive a child after therapy.
• Avoid breastfeeding when using Trazimera.

Dosing of Trazimera

Trazimera’s first dose is given via a tube into the vein, and it takes over 90 minutes. Subsequent Trazimera dosages are also given via intravenous infusion, but they have a lower dosage and are infused over 30 – 90 minutes. Trazimera is typically injected weekly or every 3 weeks. Treatment can last up to a year or until cancer recurs. Trazimera administration does not require a hospital stay. 

The dose and timing for Trazimera treatment vary slightly depending on the disease. It may change if other medications are included in the therapy.

Trazimera Cost

Trazimera costs about $1,285 for the injection of 150 mg powder. However, the actual cost will depend on your insurance plan and location. Like all drugs, the cost can vary.

FAQs About Trazimera

What may interact with Trazimera?

Trazimera may interact with the following drugs:

• Daunorubicin
• Doxorubicin
• Epirubicin
• Idarubicin

This list does not include all possible interactions. Give your doctor a list of all the medications, herbs, non-prescription drugs, and nutritional supplements you use. Inform them if you smoke, consume alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may have an interaction with your medicine.

What if I miss a dose?

It’s important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about a new dosing schedule if you miss a dose.

Does Trazimera cause hair loss?

Hair thinning can be possible but it is unlikely for patients to lose all their hair. This typically begins after your first or second treatment cycle. It is usually temporary, and your hair will regrow after your therapy is over.

Does Trazimera cause heart failure?

Yes. It can harm the heart and decrease its ability to pump blood properly. This may result in mild heart failure with symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest discomfort. 

What are the benefits of Trazimera shown in studies?

In one study [3], scientists found that Trazimera had an estimated 2-year overall survival rate of 82.26%. The corresponding 3-year survival rate was 77.17%.