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Prevention and management of major side effects of targeted agents in breast cancer

Otto Metzger Filho1, Kamal S Saini, Hatem A Azim

  • 1Institut Jules Bordet, 121 Boulevard de Waterloo, Brussels, Belgium. otto.metzger@bordet.be

Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
|September 7, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Serious adverse events can occur with targeted breast cancer therapies like trastuzumab, lapatinib, and bevacizumab, despite their specificity. This review details their incidence, prevention, and management strategies for clinical practice.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Breast cancer treatment has advanced with targeted therapies based on molecular understanding.
  • Despite target specificity, serious adverse events (SAEs) like cardiac dysfunction and severe diarrhea can occur.
  • Off-target drug effects are a concern in personalized cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the incidence, prevention, and management of SAEs associated with trastuzumab, lapatinib, and bevacizumab.
  • To critically analyze existing evidence on managing toxicities from these targeted agents.
  • To provide clinical insights for managing treatment-related adverse events.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on targeted breast cancer therapies.
  • Critical analysis of evidence regarding adverse events of trastuzumab, lapatinib, and bevacizumab.
  • Clinical insights synthesis for managing drug toxicities.

Main Results:

  • Trastuzumab, lapatinib, and bevacizumab, while targeted, can cause significant off-target adverse events.
  • Specific toxicities include congestive heart failure and severe diarrhea.
  • Evidence for prevention and management strategies is discussed.

Conclusions:

  • Managing serious adverse events is crucial for effective targeted therapy in breast cancer.
  • Understanding and addressing off-target effects of trastuzumab, lapatinib, and bevacizumab is essential.
  • Clinical vigilance and evidence-based management are key to patient safety.

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