Adjuvant trastuzumab therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer improves prognosis but is associated with a risk for cardiotoxicity, requiring appropriate patient monitoring.
What are the prevalence, patient characteristics, and risk factors for cardiotoxicity associated with adjuvant trastuzumab therapy in women with HER2-positive breast cancer?
Understanding risk factors and appropriate monitoring for trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity allows for safe and effective use of this adjuvant therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer.
Before the advent of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted monoclonal antibody trastuzumab, HER2-positive breast cancers were difficult to treat and had a poor prognosis. Adjuvant trastuzumab is now an important part of the treatment regimen for many women with HER2-positive breast cancer and has undoubtedly resulted in a significant improvement in prognosis, but it is associated with a risk for cardiotoxicity. In this review, we describe the prevalence, patient characteristics, and risk factors for cardiotoxicity associated with use of adjuvant trastuzumab. Understanding risk factors for trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity and appropriate patient monitoring during trastuzumab treatment allows for safe and effective use of this important adjuvant therapy.
Onitilo et al. (2014) conducted a review in HER2-positive breast cancer. Adjuvant trastuzumab was evaluated on Cardiotoxicity. Adjuvant trastuzumab therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer improves prognosis but is associated with a risk for cardiotoxicity, requiring appropriate patient monitoring.