Sacituzumab govitecan and triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer does not use the hormone receptors or HER2 target that guide some other breast cancer treatments. Sacituzumab govitecan joins an antibody to a chemotherapy drug. The antibody recognises a marker found on many breast cancer cells and helps carry the drug into the cell.

The medicine is delivered through an intravenous infusion. Your team uses examinations, blood tests, imaging, and your symptoms to judge how treatment is affecting you. The plan may change if the cancer responds, progresses, or side effects become difficult to manage.

Before treatment, share your medicines, allergies, previous chemotherapy, infections, bowel problems, liver conditions, and pregnancy or fertility plans. Ask how to manage nausea, diarrhoea, tiredness, hair loss, and appetite changes. Lower blood-cell counts can increase infection or bleeding concerns, so keep every requested blood test and infusion review.

Other approaches may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or PARP inhibitor therapy when the cancer's features and previous treatment make them appropriate. Your oncologist can explain why one option fits your diagnosis and goals.

Contact your cancer team urgently for fever, chills, persistent diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, unusual bruising or bleeding, or severe weakness. Seek emergency help for breathing difficulty, fainting, facial swelling, or a severe infusion reaction. Use the contact number provided by your treatment unit if symptoms begin outside clinic hours.

Ask what makes sacituzumab govitecan suitable, how response will be checked, how long each visit may take, and which side effects require a same-day call. Also ask about contraception, fertility support, vaccines, and treatment alternatives.