Pertuzumab mechanism of action

Pertuzumab (Pertuzumab) targets the extracellular dimerization domain of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein (HER2), thereby blocking ligand-dependent heterodimerization of HER2 with other HER family members. Therefore, pertuzumab inhibits ligand-initiated intracellular signaling through two major signaling pathways, and inhibition of these signaling pathways can lead to cell growth arrest and apoptosis, respectively. Furthermore, Pertuzumab mediates antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). While pertuzumab alone inhibits the proliferation of human tumor cells, the combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab enhanced antitumor activity in a HER2-overexpressing xenograft model.