Cardiotoxicity associated with the use of trastuzumab in breast cancer patients.
The monoclonal antibody against HER2, trastuzumab (Herceptin), has become an important player in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Both in the metastatic and adjuvant setting, the addition of trastuzumab to other systemic treatments has led to a striking increase in tumor response and survival. The downside with the use of this agent, however, is its inherent cardiotoxicity, which is particularly common when anthracyclines are used concurrently. This review will focus on all aspects of the cardiac side-effects of trastuzumab, ranging from epidemiology and pathophysiology to cardiac monitoring, and treatment and prevention.
University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Oncology & Cardiology, PO Box 30 001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. p.j.perik@int.umcg.nl
Patrick J
PJ
Perik
Maarten Alexander
MA
de Korte
Dirk J
DJ
van Veldhuisen
Jourik A
JA
Gietema
Dirk T
DT
Sleijfer
Elisabeth G E
EG
de Vries
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D012307:Risk Factors; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068878:Trastuzumab