Why Does Herceptin Cause Cardiotoxicity?

Cardiotoxicity of trastuzumab is considered to be the result of attenuated HER2-mediated signaling in the heart, culminating in decreased functionality of cardiac myocytes. HER2 appears to function as a compensatory mechanism acting against cardiac stress, such as anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.

Why does Herceptin cause heart problems?

During Herceptin treatment, which is recommended for one year, toxicity can cause the heart to become too weak to pump blood. All patients on Herceptin undergo regular cardiac tests, such as an echocardiogram, to look for possible heart damage.

Does Herceptin cause cardiotoxicity?

Similarly, final analysis from HERceptin Adjuvant trial also reported much lower rate of cardiotoxicity with 7.25% incidence of secondary cardiac endpoint (class I or II toxicity as defined by New York Heart Association) in 2-year trastuzumab group and 4.4% in 1-year trastuzumab [16].