[Cardiotoxicity from anti-HER-2 therapies in patients with HER-2 positive breast cancer].

Background: HER-2 positive (+) breast cancer (BC) accounts for 20-25% of BC, it is more aggressive, and it has a lower survival rate. Since the approval of trastuzumab in 1998, other HER-2-targeted therapies such as pertuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine (TDM1) have been introduced, improving patient survival. However, cardiotoxicity is an adverse effect of these treatments.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of cardiotoxicity with trastuzumab, trastuzumab/pertuzumab, and TDM1 in women with HER-2 + BC treated over a 6-year period at the Hospital de Clínicas and the Hospital Departamental de Soriano.

Material and methods: Observational, descriptive, and retrospective study which included patients with HER-2 + BC treated with trastuzumab, trastuzumab/pertuzumab, or TDM1.

Results: 81 patients were included, with a cardiotoxicity incidence of 23.4%. Cardiotoxicity was determined by a > 10% decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (57.9%) and a LVEF < 50% evident during treatment (42.1%). Only 1 patient presented symptomatic heart failure. 63.1% of those who discontinued treatment due to cardiotoxicity managed to resume it. No relationship was evident between cardiovascular history or the administration regimen and the development of cardiotoxicity.

Conclusion: The study showed a cardiotoxicity incidence similar to the international one. Most did not present cardiac toxicity, and if they did, it was asymptomatic and reversible.