Drug
Read more about targeted therapy, including when it's given and its side effects.
1. What is targeted therapy for breast cancer?
Targeted therapy is the name given to a group of drugs that block the growth and spread of cancer. They target and interfere with processes in the cells that help cancer grow.
The type of targeted therapy you’re offered will depend on the features of your breast cancer.
2. When is targeted therapy given?
Targeted therapy can be given:
- To shrink a larger cancer before it’s removed by surgery
- To reduce the chances of breast cancer coming back after surgery
- If breast cancer has come back or spread to another part of the body
3. Targeted therapy drugs for breast cancer
Trastuzumab (Herceptin)
The most commonly used targeted therapy for breast cancer is trastuzumab.
It’s used to treat breast cancer that is HER2-positive.
Other targeted therapy drugs
Other common targeted therapy drugs for HER2-positive breast cancer include:
Neratinib (Nerlynx) for primary breast cancer
Neratinib (Nerlynx) is a targeted therapy drug. Find out more about when you have it, how it's given and the side effects you might have.
Phesgo (pertuzumab and trastuzumab)
Find out more about Phesgo (pertuzumab and trastuzumab), including when you have it, how it's given and the side effects you might have.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu)
Learn about trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu), a targeted breast cancer therapy, including how it works, who might be offered it and possible side effects.
Trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla)
Learn how certain types of breast cancer can be treated with trastuzumab emtansine, also known by its brand name, Kadcyla. Find out who it’s for and the possible side effects.
Tucatinib (Tukysa)
Learn all about tucatinib (Tukysa), a targeted therapy for breast cancer. Find out what it is, how it’s given, and whether you might be offered it.
Some targeted therapies are used to treat HER2-negative, oestrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer that has spread. These include:
Abemaciclib (Verzenios)
Abemaciclib is a targeted therapy used to treat breast cancer. Learn how it works, who might be offered it and possible side effects.
Alpelisib (Piqray)
Learn about alpelisib, a targeted therapy used to treat certain types of breast cancer. Find out more about who it’s given to and some of the side effects.
Capivasertib (Truqap)
Learn about capivasertib, a targeted therapy used to treat certain types of secondary breast cancer.
Everolimus (Afinitor)
Learn more about everolimus (Afinitor), including what it is, how it's given and its side effects.
Palbociclib (Ibrance)
Find out about the targeted therapy Palbociclib (Ibrance), including if you might be offered it, how it's given and what side effects you might have.
Ribociclib (Kisqali)
Learn about the targeted therapy, ribociclib (Kisqali), including whether you might be offered it, how it’s given and the side effects you could have.
Targeted therapies use to treat some triple negative breast cancers include:
Atezolizumab (Tecentriq)
Read more about atezolizumab (Tecentriq), including what it is, how it’s given and whether it may be suitable for you.
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
Read more about pembrolizumab (Keytruda), including what it is, how it’s given and whether it may be suitable for you.
Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy)
Read more about sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy), including what it is, how it’s given, and if it might be suitable for you.
Olaparib (Lynparza) is a targeted therapy to treat some people with HER2-negative breast cancer who also have an altered gene. It’s a type of treatment known as a PARP inhibitor.
Denosumab (Xgeva) is a targeted therapy used for treating secondary breast cancer in the bone.
Glossary term
BRCA1 or BRCA2
People who inherit an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene from either parent have a much higher risk of developing breast cancer and some other cancers compared with the general population.
4. Side effects of targeted therapies
Like any treatment, targeted therapies can cause side effects.
The side effects will depend on which targeted therapy drug you’re having.
If you’re having targeted therapy at the same time as other treatments, such as or , you may have side effects from those as well.
Side effects are listed on our individual targeted therapy drugs pages – use the links above to find out more.
Glossary term
Chemotherapy
Treatment aimed at destroying cancer cells using anti-cancer drugs.
Glossary term
Hormone therapy
Drugs that work in different ways to block the effect of oestrogen on cancer cells. Only used if the breast cancer is hormone receptor positive.
5. Further support
If you’d like any further information and support or just want to talk things through, speak to one of our expert nurses by calling our free helpline on 0808 800 6000.
You might want to speak to someone who knows what it’s like. If you’ve had a primary breast cancer diagnosis, our Someone Like Me service can put you in touch with someone who’s had a similar experience to you, so you can talk through your worries and share experiences over the phone or by email.
Visit our forum where you can talk to other people having the same treatment as you.
Quality assurance
This information was published in September 2025. We will revise it in September 2027.
-
Call our free helpline
0808 800 6000If you have any concerns about breast cancer, or just want to talk, our specialist nurses are here for you.
Lines open: Monday to Friday - 9am to 4pm; Saturday - 9am to 1pm
-
Explore ways to talk to our nurses
It can be difficult to talk to someone in person about breast cancer concerns. Explore other ways you can ask a question.