Risky Breast Cancer Drug OK'd by Canadian Cardiologists

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Canadian cardiologists have taken a step toward clearing the drug trastuzumab (herceptin) for use in the fight against breast cancer, even though it can cause serious heart complications in women.

A study conducted by Dr. Michael McDonald and colleagues from the Heart Function Clinic at Toronto General Hospital found patients affected by the herceptin can be taken off the drug, be treated for the heart condition and then resume cancer treatment unaffected.

Researchers examined 18 breast cancer patients on herceptin whose ejection fractions had dropped by at least 10 percent or were showing signs of heart failure. They took 13 of the women off the drug and then treated them with ACE inhibitors and/or beta blockers.

Fourteen of the 18 patients were eventually put back on herceptin and completed the course of treatment.

"After three months of follow-up, the cardiac complications had begun to improve and almost all patients had a near normalization of ejection fraction," Dr. McDonald was quoted as saying. "Our study shows herceptin-related toxicity is largely reversible. A systematic, guideline-based approach to management including referral to a cardiology centre, temporary cessation of herceptin if necessary, and judicious use of heart failure medications can lead to a successful outcome for these patients."

Researchers are unsure of if herceptin causes long-term damage to the heart.

SOURCE: Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, 2009

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