Acute Toxicity With Trastuzumab Emtansine and Concurrent Radiotherapy: Non-Consecutive Case Series
Philip Carroll1, Jade Soo2, Keelan Byrne1,3
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) combined with radiotherapy may increase toxicity in HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Vigilance for enhanced pulmonary, skin, and musculoskeletal side effects is crucial when sequencing these treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiotherapy
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) improves outcomes for HER2-overexpressing breast cancer with residual disease post-neoadjuvant therapy.
- Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is common in these patients, but its safety with concurrent or sequential T-DM1 is under-reported.
- Limited data exists on T-DM1 and RT interactions outside the KATHERINE trial.
