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Heart to heart with trastuzumab: a review on cardiac toxicity

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Abstract

Trastuzumab is regarded as the foundation of care for HER2-positive breast cancer as it has revolutionized the treatment of this disease across all settings. Although generally well tolerated, patients may develop symptomatic or asymptomatic cardiotoxicity, forcing a discontinuation of treatment, therefore preventing patients from benefiting from maximal disease control. Evolving research supports that trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity may be prevented or at least minimized by a number of prophylactic measures, such as identification of patients at risk and close monitoring. Optimized chemotherapy regimens, scheduling and formulations also contribute to minimizing cardiac adverse events. Equally important, if cardiotoxicity develops, medical interventions are now available that facilitate the reintroduction of trastuzumab once normal cardiac function has been restored. Awareness of this still-evolving information may lead to optimal use of trastuzumab, especially in combination regimens, maximizing antitumor benefit, while minimizing risk.

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Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Dr. Lorena de la Peña from SOLTI Group - Spain and Ms Joanna Landi from Fatebenefratelli Milano Italy for editing the manuscript and help with figure.

Conflict of interest

The author is a member of the speakers’ bureau for GlaxoSmithKline

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Breast Cancer Center, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain

    Serena Di Cosimo

  2. Centro de Cáncer de Mama Edificio Materno-Infantil - I planta, Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron, Paseo Vall d’Hebrón 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain

    Serena Di Cosimo

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Correspondence to Serena Di Cosimo.

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Di Cosimo, S. Heart to heart with trastuzumab: a review on cardiac toxicity. Targ Oncol 6, 189–195 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-011-0203-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-011-0203-8

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