A new treatment has been approved in the fight against HER-2 positive breast cancer, which accounts for roughly one-fifth of breast cancers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given a green light to Phesgo, a drug to treat adult patients with HER-2 positive breast cancer that is either in its early stages or has spread to other parts of the body.
The FDA says Phesgo works by disrupting the signals which promote the growth of cancer cells. It is initially used in combination with chemotherapy, but now, it can be administered at home through an injection under the skin by a qualified health care professional once chemotherapy is finished.
There are risks, however. The FDA says patients should be selected to start this treatment, only after FDA approved testing. The most common side effects for patients taking Phesgo were hair loss, nausea, anemia and lack of energy. Phesgo can also cause a low level of white blood cells, beyond what is caused by chemotherapy.
