It could be time to consider adjuvant therapy

Based on your answers, here is information for when cancer cells remain after treatment and surgery.

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As you read your results, look out for underlined words that you can click on to see the term defined.

At least one of the following is true:

After surgery, HER2-targeted treatment may be recommended to help kill remaining cancer cells

If you have residual disease, your doctor may recommend:

Who may be eligible for KADCYLA?

People with HER+ early breast cancer who had treatment before surgery (including a taxane and trastuzumab) and there is cancer remaining in the tissue removed during surgery.

Kadcyla® (ado-trastuzumab emtansine)

KADCYLA is used after surgery and is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion for 30-90 minutes.*

For additional Important Safety Information, including most serious side effects, click here.

Stay on this page to learn more about KADCYLA and how it may be able to help.

*This does not account for observation time and other aspects of treatment. Actual clinic time may vary.

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Remember, this site is for educational purposes only. Your primary sources of information should always be your doctor and the professionals who make up your healthcare team. Only they can give you medical advice about HER2+ early breast cancer and treatment.

A study compared KADCYLA against Herceptin

Who was in the study?

1,486 people with certain types of HER2+ early breast cancer who:

What was the goal of the study?

To find out which adjuvant treatment, KADCYLA or Herceptin, was better at keeping people cancer free.

What were the results?

KADCYLA significantly lowered the chance of cancer coming back compared to Herceptin, according to a comparison study.

88% of people who received KADCYLA after surgery were still cancer‑free 3 years after the study was started.

88%

77% of people who received Herceptin were still cancer‑free 3 years after the study was started.

The chance of cancer coming back was lowered by 50% for people who received KADCYLA compared to people who received Herceptin.

50% reduction

At the time of this data review, it was too early in the study to determine if people lived longer with KADCYLA. However, people in the study will continue to be followed and evaluated.

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What are the most serious side effects of KADCYLA?

  • KADCYLA can cause severe liver problems that can be life-threatening.
  • KADCYLA may cause heart problems, including those without symptoms (such as reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (such as congestive heart failure).
  • Receiving KADCYLA during pregnancy can result in the death of an unborn baby and birth defects.

What are other possible serious side effects of KADCYLA?

  • Lung problems
  • Infusion-related reactions
  • Serious bleeding
  • Low platelet count
  • Nerve damage
  • Skin reactions around the infusion site

See additional Important Safety Information below.

Dosing schedule for KADCYLA

The dosing schedule for KADCYLA is organized by cycle. For example, KADCYLA is given once every 3 weeks. That is 1 cycle.

1 cycle every 3 weeks for 14 cycles

You will receive KADCYLA for 14 cycles (42 weeks), unless side effects become too difficult to manage or the cancer comes back sooner.

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As you read your results, look out for underlined words that you can click on to see the term defined.

At least one of the following is true:

With HER2+ Early Breast Cancer, Knowledge is Empowering
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You can start the conversation

We want to help provide you with the information you need to feel empowered throughout your treatment for HER2+ EBC.

Here are some starter questions to begin a conversation with your doctor or healthcare team:

  • Is KADCYLA right for me?
  • How is KADCYLA different than trastuzumab?
  • How is KADCYLA different from chemotherapy?
  • How long will I be on KADCYLA?
  • What is a KADCYLA cycle?
  • What are some of the side effects I could experience during treatment?
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Get more information about KADCYLA
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See the different decision points that can lead to KADCYLA

Important Safety Information & Uses

Who is KADCYLA for?

Early Breast Cancer

KADCYLA is a prescription medicine used as an adjuvant (after surgery) treatment for HER2-positive early breast cancer when the patient has taken neoadjuvant (before surgery) treatment including a taxane and trastuzumab (Herceptin®) and there is cancer remaining in the tissue removed during surgery.

Patients are selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved test for KADCYLA.

What is the most Important Safety Information I should know about KADCYLA?

Liver problems

  • KADCYLA may cause severe liver problems that can be life-threatening. Symptoms of liver problems may include vomiting, nausea, eating disorder (anorexia), yellowing of the skin (jaundice), stomach pain, dark urine, or itching

Heart problems

  • KADCYLA may cause heart problems, including those without symptoms (such as reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (such as congestive heart failure). Symptoms may include swelling of the ankles or legs, shortness of breath, cough, rapid weight gain of more than 5 pounds in 24 hours, dizziness or loss of consciousness, or irregular heartbeat

Pregnancy

  • Receiving KADCYLA during pregnancy can result in the death of an unborn baby and birth defects. Birth control should be used while you receive KADCYLA and for 7 months after your last dose of KADCYLA

  • If you think you may be pregnant, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately

  • If you are exposed to KADCYLA during pregnancy or if you become pregnant within 7 months following your last dose of KADCYLA, you are encouraged to report KADCYLA exposure to Genentech by calling 1-888-835-2555

  • If you are a male patient with a female partner that could become pregnant, birth control should be used during treatment and for 4 months following your last dose of KADCYLA

  • You should not breastfeed during treatment and for 7 months after the last dose of KADCYLA

Contact your doctor right away if you experience symptoms associated with these side effects.

What are the additional possible serious side effects of KADCYLA?

Lung problems

  • KADCYLA may cause lung problems, including inflammation of the lung tissue, which can be life-threatening. Signs of lung problems may include trouble breathing, cough, tiredness, and fluid in the lungs

Infusion-related reactions

  • Symptoms of an infusion-related reaction may include one or more of the following: the skin getting hot or red (flushing), chills, fever, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, wheezing, tightening of the muscles in the chest around the airways, or a fast heartbeat. Your doctor will monitor you for infusion-related reactions

Serious bleeding

  • KADCYLA can cause life-threatening bleeding. Taking KADCYLA with other medications used to thin your blood (antiplatelet) or prevent blood clots (anticoagulation) can increase your risk of bleeding. Your doctor should provide additional monitoring if you are taking one of these other drugs while on KADCYLA. Even when blood thinners are not also being taken, life-threatening bleeding may occur with KADCYLA

Low platelet count

  • Low platelet count may happen during treatment with KADCYLA. Platelets help your blood to clot. Signs of low platelets may include easy bruising, bleeding, and prolonged bleeding from cuts. In mild cases there may not be any symptoms

Nerve damage

  • Symptoms may include numbness and tingling, burning or sharp pain, sensitivity to touch, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, or loss of muscle function. Your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of nerve damage

Skin reactions around the infusion site

  • KADCYLA may leak from the vein or needle and cause reactions such as redness, tenderness, skin irritation, or pain or swelling at the infusion site. If this happens, it is more likely to happen within 24 hours of the infusion

What are the most common side effects of KADCYLA?

The most common side effects in people taking KADCYLA for early breast cancer are:

  • Tiredness
  • Nausea
  • Liver problems
  • Pain that affects the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons
  • Bleeding
  • Low platelet count
  • Headache
  • Weakness, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet
  • Joint pain

You are encouraged to report side effects to Genentech and the FDA. You may contact Genentech by calling 1-888-835-2555. You may contact the FDA by visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

Talk to a healthcare professional for more information about the benefits and risks of KADCYLA.

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information, including most serious side effects.

If you cannot afford your medication, visit genentech-access.com/patient for financial assistance information.