Author/Editor		Marinko, Tanja; Dolenc, Jure; Bilban-Jakopin, Cvetka
Title		Cardiotoxicity of concomitant radiotherapy and trastuzumab for early breast cancer
Type		članek
Vol. and No.		Letnik 48, št. 2
Publication year		2014
Volume		str. 105-112
ISSN		1318-2099 - Radiology and oncology
Language		eng
Abstract		Background. Trastuzumab therapy given in combination with one of several chemotherapy regimens is currently considered the standard of care for the treatment of early-stage, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) -positive breast cancer. The treatment with trastuzumab is due to a significant impact on the survival part of the standard adjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Patients treated with postoperative breast or chest wall irradiation receive trastuzumab concomitant with radiotherapy. In a small proportion of patients trastuzumab causes cardiotoxicity. Preclinical findings indicate a radiosensibilizing effect of trastuzumab in breast cancer cells, but it is not yet clear whether it radiosensibilizes cells of healthy tissues too. Conclusions. Special attention is required when left breast or left thoracic wall is irradiated in patient receiving trastuzumab, because long-term effects of the concurrent treatment with trastuzumab and radiotherapy are not yet known. In an era where more patients are surviving a diagnosis of breast cancer, better understanding and earlier detection of therapy-induced cardiac toxicity will be of paramount importance.
Keywords		radioterapija kardiotoksičnost rak dojke zgodnji rak dojke radiotherapy cardiotoxicity trastuzumab early breast cancer