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Trastuzumab induces gastrointestinal side effects in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients

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Summary

Purpose: To characterise the gastrointestinal toxicities associated with Trastuzumab administration in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients. Methods: All patients (n = 46) who received Trastuzumab as a single agent or in conjunction with conventional anti-cancer treatment within the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre from 2002–2007 were included in this study. A retrospective analysis of case-notes was conducted to investigate the toxicities associated with Trastuzumab. Results: Trastuzumab as a single agent induced toxicities following 22% of administrations. Gastrointestinal toxicities were observed following 12% of administrations and included nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating. However, other prominent toxicities that were not related to the gastrointestinal tract were also observed including fatigue and lung symptoms (10.4%). Elderly patients (≥60 years) and those with metastatic disease experienced the highest frequency of toxicity. Conclusion: Trastuzumab induces a range of gastrointestinal toxicities in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients. These toxicities are separate to those caused by concurrent chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

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Acknowledgments

Noor Al-Dasooqi was supported by an Honours scholarship from the Royal Adelaide Hospital; Dr. Rachel J Gibson was supported by a Research Fellowship from the Cancer Council South Australia; Dr. Joanne M Bowen was supported by a Research Fellowship from the Royal Adelaide Hospital; Professor Dorothy M. Keefe is the Cancer Council SA Chair of Cancer Medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Noor Al-Dasooqi

  2. Department of Medical Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, SA, Australia

    Noor Al-Dasooqi, Joanne M. Bowen, Rachel J. Gibson & Dorothy M. Keefe

  3. Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Joanne M. Bowen & Dorothy M. Keefe

  4. Discipline of Anatomical Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Rachel J. Gibson

  5. Discipline of Public Health, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Thomas Sullivan

  6. RAH Cancer Centre, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Jude Lees

  7. Cancer Council South Australia, Eastwood, SA, Australia

    Dorothy M. Keefe

Authors
  1. Noor Al-Dasooqi
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  2. Joanne M. Bowen
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  3. Rachel J. Gibson
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  6. Dorothy M. Keefe
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Correspondence to Noor Al-Dasooqi.

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Al-Dasooqi, N., Bowen, J.M., Gibson, R.J. et al. Trastuzumab induces gastrointestinal side effects in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients. Invest New Drugs 27, 173–178 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10637-008-9152-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10637-008-9152-1

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