title: [Combination of exemestane and everolimus may produce toxic side effects: a new treatment option for metastatic hormone-sensitive breast cancer].
abstract: The combination of exemestane and everolimus is a new treatment option for metastatic hormone-sensitive breast cancer. This treatment is used after progression on non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors. The treatment is generally well tolerated, but sometimes leads to minor or even serious side effects. It is important to be aware of these side effects and to treat them. We describe two patients who had to cope with various forms of toxicity: a 73-year-old woman with aphthous mouth lesions and a 49-year-old woman with pneumonitis. We then discuss the efficacy of the combination exemestane and everolimus and its positioning in the treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Finally, some common and some potentially serious side effects will be discussed, along with recommendations for their management and indications for distinguishing side effects from disease progression.
authors.affiliation: Maastricht Universitair Medisch Centrum+, afd. Medische oncologie, Maastricht.
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: Maaike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Boer
authors.forename: Dorien J A
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lobbezoo
authors.forename: Ruud E H
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.forename: Vivianne C G
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Tjan-Heijnen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068338:Everolimus; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068338:Everolimus; C056516:exemestane; D020123:Sirolimus