Trastuzumab has become a highly effective treatment for HER2-positive breast and gastric cancer in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents or hormone therapy. Its clinical benefits are counterbalanced by a number of adverse effects, of which trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity (TZK) is a prominent one.
This is a known effect of cardiac damage caused by the use of this targeted anti-cancer molecule. This article aims to discuss the mechanism, important risk factors and management of the adverse reaction.
Finally, it presents options to minimize this risk and possible ways to prevent or treat it.