Trastuzumab induces gastrointestinal side effects in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise the gastrointestinal toxicities associated with Trastuzumab administration in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients.


METHODS
All patients (n = 46) who received Trastuzumab as a single agent or in conjunction with conventional anti-cancer treatment within the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre from 2002-2007 were included in this study. A retrospective analysis of case-notes was conducted to investigate the toxicities associated with Trastuzumab.


RESULTS
Trastuzumab as a single agent induced toxicities following 22% of administrations. Gastrointestinal toxicities were observed following 12% of administrations and included nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating. However, other prominent toxicities that were not related to the gastrointestinal tract were also observed including fatigue and lung symptoms (10.4%). Elderly patients (> or =60 years) and those with metastatic disease experienced the highest frequency of toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Trastuzumab induces a range of gastrointestinal toxicities in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients. These toxicities are separate to those caused by concurrent chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
Al-Dasooqi
Noor
N
Department of Physiology, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia. noor.abdulghafour@student.adelaide.edu.au
Bowen
Joanne M
JM
Gibson
Rachel J
RJ
Sullivan
Thomas
T
Lees
Jude
J
Keefe
Dorothy M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068878:Trastuzumab