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ACTH: Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide, followed by paclitaxel and trastuzumab

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ACTH is a chemotherapy combination treatment used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. It may also be called sequential AC/Taxol-Trastuzumab.

The medicines in this combination are:

Trastuzumab is a type of targeted therapy called a monoclonal antibody. It attaches to HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) proteins and can kill HER2-positive cancer cells.

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How ACTH works

Both doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) damage the DNA inside cancer cells so they can’t divide, which causes them to die. With doxorubicin, the damage stops the cancer cells from dividing and causes them to die. Cyclophosphamide stops cancer cells from reproducing.

Paclitaxel (T) is added to doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC). It stops cancer cells from dividing into new cells.

Trastuzumab (H) attaches to HER2 proteins on the surface of HER2-positive cancer cells, and blocks the signals that cause the cancer cells to multiply.

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Who gets ACTH

ACTH is often used as adjuvant therapy, after surgery, or as neoadjuvant therapy, before surgery, for early-stage breast cancers that are

  • HER2-positive and have traveled to the lymph nodes
  • HER2-positive and have not traveled to the lymph nodes (high-risk lymph node negative)

You and your doctor will discuss the best chemotherapy treatment for your situation.

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How ACTH is given

AC is usually given

  • every 2-3 weeks for four cycles followed by
  • T every 2-3 weeks for four cycles, plus weekly H

Then H is given alone weekly or every 3 weeks over a year to complete treatment.

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Side effects & things to remember

Different medicines have different side effects. You may not have every side effect related to each medicine of the combination therapy. Side effects of ACTH may include:

Before starting ACTH, tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter medicines, to make sure they won’t interfere with your chemotherapy treatment.

Trastuzumab can cause complications in pregnancy, so you should not become pregnant while taking it.

Be sure to talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about all your side effects so that they can help you manage them. You can also go to our section on side effects for more information.

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Reviewed and updated: August 31, 2015

Reviewed by: Adrienne Gropper Waks, MD

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Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to create a world that understands there is more than one way to have breast cancer. To fulfill its mission of providing trusted information and a community of support to those impacted by the disease, Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers on-demand emotional, practical, and evidence-based content. For over 30 years, the organization has remained committed to creating a culture of acceptance — where sharing the diversity of the lived experience of breast cancer fosters self-advocacy and hope. For more information, learn more about our programs and services.