Outhoff, Kim2011-05-192011-05-192011-03Outhoff, K 2011, 'The art of prescribing trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer', South African Journal of Gynaecological Oncology, vol. 3, no. 1, pp.16-26. [http://www.sajgo.co.za/index.php/sajgo/article/view/47/pdf_35]2074-2835http://hdl.handle.net/2263/16585The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in HER2-positive breast cancer. This confers characteristics associated with an overall poor prognosis, with early metastases to major visceral sites and a relative resistance to chemotherapy. Trastuzumab is a humanised monoclonal therapeutic antibody that specifically targets HER2 receptor overexpressing breast cancer cells, inhibiting their growth and proliferation, and inducing their regression. It is licensed for metastatic and early HER2-positive breast cancer, determined by slide-based testing techniques. Trastuzumab dosing regimens are aimed at increasing its efficacy, while minimising its potentially undesirable effects which include cardiotoxicity and the development of resistance.enOpenJournals PublishingHER2-positive breast cancerTrastuzumabPatient eligibilityTolerabilityDosing regimensResistanceBreast -- Cancer -- TreatmentArticle