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BIOLOGIC
Kanjinti (trastuzumab-anns) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with breast cancer.
These insights are based on 57 comments about Kanjinti from MyBCTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of individuals and are not meant to be medical advice.
Benefits:
Considerations:
Kanjinti is a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) targeted medicine. HER2 is a protein found at high levels on some cancer cells. Kanjinti attaches to the HER2 protein, which can help slow or stop the growth of HER2-overexpressing cancer cells and may help the immune system attack these cancer cells.
Kanjinti is a biosimilar of Herceptin. This means it is made from living cells and is designed to work like the original medicine. The FDA requires biosimilars to have no meaningful differences in safety or how well they work.
Doctors prescribe Kanjinti for certain adults with HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. The exact use depends on the cancer and whether Kanjinti is used with chemotherapy or by itself. Kanjinti may be used:
By targeting the HER2 pathway, Kanjinti may help manage HER2-positive breast cancer and slow disease activity.
Kanjinti is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. It is usually given weekly or once every three weeks, depending on the treatment plan and whether it is used for early-stage or metastatic disease.
For early-stage breast cancer, treatment usually continues for a total of 52 weeks. For metastatic breast cancer, treatment usually continues until the cancer gets worse or side effects become unacceptable.
For early breast cancer given with chemotherapy, the usual starting dose is 4 milligrams per kilogram by IV infusion. After that, the usual dose is 2 milligrams per kilogram weekly during chemotherapy. Then Kanjinti is given as 6 milligrams per kilogram every three weeks to complete 52 weeks of treatment.
When Kanjinti is used by itself after an anthracycline-based treatment plan, the usual starting dose is 8 milligrams per kilogram. After that, the usual dose is 6 milligrams per kilogram every three weeks for 52 weeks.
For metastatic breast cancer, the usual starting dose is 4 milligrams per kilogram by IV infusion. After that, the usual dose is 2 milligrams per kilogram once weekly. Treatment continues until the cancer gets worse.
Doctors may slow an infusion, pause treatment, withhold a dose, or stop Kanjinti if certain serious side effects happen.
This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
These insights are based on 57 comments about Kanjinti from MyBCTeam members.
Members who use Kanjinti often say it helps to know the treatment schedule ahead of time, keep an eye on side effects, and stay in close contact with the care team. Many members also mention heart monitoring, lab work, and asking questions early so there are fewer surprises during treatment.
Clarify when Kanjinti is weekly and when it changes to every three weeks.
“I had 12 weekly Taxol treatments starting in May and Kanjinti every three weeks for a year.”
Ask what heart test results could affect whether treatment continues.
“My Herceptin/Kanjinti is still continuing through September, if my heart/GLS strain stays in an acceptable range. Next echocardiogram is soon. We will know then.”
Report side effects early, especially muscle or joint pain, so your care team can talk through options.
“Because she’s worried about all the reactions and side effects I’m dealing from Kanjinti/Herceptin, like muscle and joint pains.”
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In clinical trials of Kanjinti for breast cancer, the most common side effects differed between adjuvant breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer. This might be due to the differing dosing schedule based on indication or use as a single agent versus combinations of chemotherapy medications.
For adjuvant breast cancer, side effects reported in at least 5 percent of people include:
For metastatic breast cancer, side effects reported in at least 10 percent of people include:
Kanjinti can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Amgen, the manufacturer of Kanjinti, offers the Amgen SupportPlus Co-Pay Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per dose or cycle.
The Amgen SupportPlus Co-Pay Program also offers a copay card that can be applied to deductible, coinsurance, and copayment costs. To learn more, visit the program website or call 866-264-2778.
Before starting Kanjinti, your doctor will test or check for:
Tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.
Kanjinti is also FDA-approved to treat gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
If you miss a dose by one week or less, it should be given as soon as possible at the usual maintenance dose. If you miss a dose by more than one week, your doctor should give a reloading dose as soon as possible.
Kanjinti can harm your baby if you are pregnant. Your doctor should verify pregnancy status before you start treatment. Females who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for seven months after the last dose.
It is not known whether trastuzumab-anns passes into human breast milk. Because Kanjinti may stay in the body after treatment ends, consider the seven-month washout period before breastfeeding.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Kanjinti?
Kanjinti is a biosimilar of Herceptin. The clinical study results for trastuzumab, the medicine Kanjinti is based on, showed benefits in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer.
In HER2-overexpressing early breast cancer, adding trastuzumab to chemotherapy helped people live longer in a large analysis of more than 4,000 people. After a median follow-up of 8.3 years, estimated survival was 86.9 percent with trastuzumab plus chemotherapy versus 79.4 percent with chemotherapy alone.
In HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer, trastuzumab plus chemotherapy improved the median time before cancer got worse from 4.5 months to 7.2 months. It also improved the response rate from 29 percent to 45 percent. Median overall survival was 25.1 months with trastuzumab plus chemotherapy versus 20.3 months with chemotherapy alone.
In previously treated metastatic breast cancer, trastuzumab used by itself had an overall response rate of 14 percent.
Can Kanjinti cause heart problems during breast cancer treatment?
Yes. Kanjinti can cause heart problems, including left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, hypertension, and, rarely, cardiac death.
Contact a healthcare professional right away for new or worsening shortness of breath, cough, swelling of the ankles or legs, swelling of the face, palpitations, weight gain of more than 5 pounds in 24 hours, dizziness, or loss of consciousness.
How often is Kanjinti taken for breast cancer?
The schedule depends on how it is used. In adjuvant breast cancer, it may be given weekly during certain chemotherapy regimens, then every three weeks to complete a total of 52 weeks, or it may be started every three weeks as a single agent after other treatment. In metastatic breast cancer, it is given weekly until the disease progresses.
On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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