Last update Dec. 23, 2024

Pertuzumab

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

It is a humanized IgG monoclonal antibody obtained by recombinant technology from hamster cells. It is used with trastuzumab and docetaxel in the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in patients who have not received anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy. Intravenous administration every 3 weeks.

At the date of the last update we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Its very high molecular weight makes its passage into breast milk very unlikely. (Stratigakis 2023)

Due to its protein nature, it is inactivated in the gastrointestinal tract and is not absorbed (oral bioavailability practically nil), which makes it difficult or impossible for it to pass into infant plasma from ingested breast milk (Anderson 2021), except in premature infants and the immediate neonatal period, in which there may be greater intestinal permeability.

Possible side effects include diarrhea, nausea, neutropenia, fatigue and peripheral neuropathy.

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Pertuzumab.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Pertuzumab in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Pertuzumab in its composition:

  • Perjeta
  • Perjeta-Herceptin™. Contains other elements than Pertuzumab in its composition
  • Phesgo™. Contains other elements than Pertuzumab in its composition

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. ≈ 0 %
Molecular weight 148.000 daltons
VD 0.05 - 0.11 l/Kg
432 hours

References

  1. Stratigakis A, Paty D, Zou P, Zhao Z, Li Y, Zhang T. A regression approach for assessing large molecular drug concentration in breast milk. Reprod Breed 2023;3:199-207. Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. Anderson PO. Monoclonal Antibodies During Breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med. 2021 Aug;16(8):591-593. Abstract

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