Pertuzumab is a monoclonal antibody. The first of its class in a line of agents called "HER dimerization inhibitors". By binding to HER2, it inhibits the dimer

Protein dimer

In biochemistry, a dimer is a macromolecular complex formed by two, usually non-covalently bound, macromolecules like proteins or nucleic acids...

ization of HER2 with other HER receptors, which is hypothesized to result in slowed tumor

Cancer

Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...

 growth. Pertuzumab is currently being developed by Genentech

Genentech

Genentech Inc., or Genetic Engineering Technology, Inc., is a biotechnology corporation, founded in 1976 by venture capitalist Robert A. Swanson and biochemist Dr. Herbert Boyer. Trailing the founding of Cetus by five years, it was an important step in the evolution of the biotechnology industry...

.

Early clinical trials of pertuzumab in prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers have been met with limited success.