Which monoclonal antibody is commonly used in cancer treatment?

Trastuzumab, commonly known by its brand name Herceptin, is a monoclonal antibody that is widely used in the treatment of certain types of breast cancer, particularly those that overexpress the HER2 protein. This targeted therapy works by binding to the HER2 receptor on cancer cells, inhibiting their growth and promoting immune-mediated destruction of the tumor.

The use of trastuzumab has significantly improved clinical outcomes for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, leading to better survival rates and reduced recurrence of the disease. It highlights the importance of personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored based on the specific characteristics of a patient's tumor.

While other options listed, such as rituximab, bevacizumab, and ipilimumab, are also monoclonal antibodies used in oncology, trastuzumab's role in the targeted treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer makes it particularly notable in the context of cancer therapies. Each of these antibodies has specific indications and mechanisms of action tailored to different cancers, but trastuzumab is especially recognized for its pioneering role in the targeting of growth factor receptors in breast cancer.