What is Herceptin classified as?

Herceptin is classified as a monoclonal antibody drug because it specifically targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein, which is overexpressed in some breast cancers. Monoclonal antibodies are designed to bind to specific antigens on the surface of cancer cells, and in the case of Herceptin, it helps to inhibit cancer cell growth by preventing HER2 from signaling cells to grow and divide. This targeted therapy is part of a broader category of biologic drugs that are derived from living organisms and are designed to target specific pathways involved in cancer progression.

Monoclonal antibody drugs like Herceptin differ significantly from chemotherapeutic agents, which tend to be more generalized cytotoxic drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells but can also affect normal, healthy cells, leading to broader side effects. In contrast, Herceptin aims for specificity in targeting cancer cells with HER2 overexpression, thereby reducing the impact on non-cancerous cells.

Other classifications in the options, such as corticosteroids and antiviral agents, pertain to different therapeutic classes with distinct mechanisms of action. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications that can also be employed in cancer management but do not function by precisely targeting cancer cell receptors like