Biological therapies in breast cancer: Common toxicities and management strategies

• Published in: Breast (Edinburgh) Vol. 22; no. 6; pp. 1009 - 1018
• Main Authors: Barroso-Sousa, Romualdo, Santana, Iuri A, Testa, Laura, de Melo Gagliato, Débora, Mano, Max S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2013
• Subjects: Adverse events; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - adverse effects; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Bevacizumab; Biological Therapy - adverse effects; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions - prevention & control; Everolimus; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - adverse effects; Lapatinib; Maytansine - adverse effects; Maytansine - analogs & derivatives; Pertuzumab; Quinazolines - adverse effects; Sirolimus - adverse effects; Sirolimus - analogs & derivatives; Trastuzumab; Trastuzumab-emtansine; ABC; FDA; LVEF; Trastuzumab-emtansine; left ventricular ejection fraction; EGFR; Bevacizumab; QoL; Trastuzumab emtansine; Adverse events; Pertuzumab; mTOR; Lapatinib; Everolimus; Food and Drug Administration; computed tomography; renal cell cancer; AE; epidermal growth factor receptor; VEGF; human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2; adverse event; Breast cancer; CT; RCC; vascular endothelial growth factor; the mammalian target of rapamycin; T-DM1; advanced breast cancer; quality of life; HER2; Trastuzumab
• ISSN: 0960-9776; 1532-3080
• DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2013.09.009

Abstract In recent years, a number of new molecules – commonly known as biological therapies – have been approved or are in late stages of regulatory evaluation for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. These innovative compounds have improved treatment efficacy and have probably contributed to the increase in survival length observed in some breast cancer subtypes. However, these agents are not deprived of toxicity, which can impair quality of life and may occasionally be life-threatening. In this article, we reviewed the most common toxicities associated with these drugs and provided a number of practical recommendations on their optimal clinical management.