How often should a baseline echocardiogram be done before starting Herceptin?
The researchers who did this study believe that a baseline echocardiogram should be done before treatment with Herceptin is started and that regular heart function monitoring should be done when Herceptin treatment starts -- as frequently as every 3 to 4 weeks.
How often will my doctor test my heart after taking herceptin?
During your year of treatment, your doctor will test your heart every 3 months. After your treatment ends, your doctor will test your heart every 6 months for at least 2 years. Seek emergency medical help if you’re taking Herceptin and you develop any symptoms of heart failure.
Does Herceptin have any side effects?
Women Treated With Herceptin Need Heart Monitoring No Matter Their Age. Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) is a targeted therapy used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. Heart problems, including heart muscle damage and heart failure, are possible serious side effects of Herceptin.
Does Herceptin (trastuzumab) cause heart problems?
Herceptin is an important drug for women with HER2-positive breast cancer. Breast cancer patients who take either of two heart medicines while undergoing treatment with Herceptin (trastuzumab) were not protected from the cardiac damage that is a common side effect of Herceptin therapy.
Does trastuzumab require cardiac monitoring?
After completion of 1 year trastuzumab in the adjuvant setting, LVEF monitoring every 6 months for at least 2 years is recommended. If trastuzumab is withheld for significant LV cardiac dysfunction, cardiac monitoring should occur monthly.
What kind of heart problems does Herceptin cause?
Herceptin use can cause heart problems, including heart failure, high blood pressure, and arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm or heart rate). Receiving Herceptin with medications called anthracyclines can increase this risk. Examples of anthracyclines include doxorubicin and daunorubicin (Cerubidine).
Can Herceptin cause heart arrhythmia?
A side effect of Herceptin can be an increased risk of heart problems, such as heart failure (reduced pumping capacity of the heart), valvular disease (problems with the heart valves) and unstable arrhythmias (irregular beating of the heart).
What happens after Herceptin treatment ends?
After Herceptin treatment, your doctor will monitor you regularly for cancer progression, advise you not to become pregnant for at least 7 months (if you are of childbearing potential), and test your heart every 6 months for at least 2 years, because there is a higher risk of developing long-term heart damage in people ...
Is heart damage from Herceptin permanent?
In rare cases, heart failure develops. Heart function can recover when Herceptin treatment stops. Other research has shown that heart problems caused by Herceptin are more likely to happen in: older women.
Does Herceptin cause atrial fibrillation?
Of note, the rate of atrial fibrillation was higher in women who received chemotherapy (adjusted HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.13-1.35); however, this rate was not associated with exposure to anthracyclines or trastuzumab (Herceptin).
Why does Herceptin cause heart failure?
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.
Can heart Damage From Chemo be reversed?
Cardiotoxicity can be defined as a direct effect of chemotherapy resulting in cardiac dysfunction which may lead to reversible/irreversible heart failure.
Is trastuzumab cardiotoxicity reversible?
Cardiotoxicity from trastuzumab is largely reversible and therefore characterized as causing type II chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction.
What is the success rate of Herceptin?
At 10 years after treatment, disease-free survival also was better in women who were treated with Herceptin: 73.7% of the women who received chemotherapy plus Herceptin were alive without the cancer growing. 62.2% of the women who received chemotherapy alone were alive without the cancer growing.
Can you take Herceptin for life?
Treatment with Herceptin generally lasts for 1 year unless side effects become unmanageable. Herceptin is only given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. * There are 3 ways Herceptin can be used: As part of a treatment course including the chemotherapy drugs doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and either paclitaxel or docetaxel ...
Why is Herceptin only given for a year?
While 9 weeks of Herceptin was associated with fewer heart problems compared to 1 year of Herceptin, the difference in disease-free survival was small and the researchers said 1 year of Herceptin should remain the standard of care. Oct 29, 2018.
How often should you check your heart function after taking herceptin?
The researchers who did this study believe that a baseline echocardiogram should be done before treatment with Herceptin is started and that regular heart function monitoring should be done when Herceptin treatment starts -- as frequently as every 3 to 4 weeks.
When was Herceptin Hylecta approved?
Editor’s Note: This article was updated with information about Herceptin Hylecta, which the FDA approved on Feb. 28, 2019.
What is the role of HER2 in cancer?
The HER2 protein sits on the surface of cancer cells and receives signals that tell the cancer to grow and spread. About one out of every four breast cancers is HER2-positive. HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive and harder to treat than HER2-negative breast cancers. Herceptin works by attaching to the HER2 protein ...
How old was the average woman when she started herceptin?
The women's average age was 55 and many of them had heart risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and being obese. Before starting Herceptin, all the women had an echocardiogram to evaluate heart function. After 3 months of Herceptin, the women had another echocardiogram. After 3 months:
Can you give herceptin as an injection?
A newer form of Herceptin, Herceptin Hylecta (chemical name: trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk), can be given as an injection. Women treated with Herceptin may have side effects, including: high blood pressure. joint and back pain. hot flashes.
Does herceptin cause heart failure?
Heart muscle damage and heart failure are potentially serious side effects of Herceptin. A small study has found that after 3 months of Herceptin treatment, nearly 58% of women had some loss of heart function. The study used heart ultrasounds (echocardiograms) to evaluate the women's heart health. The results suggest that heart problems caused by ...
Can you recover from herceptin?
Some women on Herceptin will have a loss of heart function during treatment. In rare cases, heart failure develops. Heart function can recover when Herceptin treatment stops. Other research has shown that heart problems caused by Herceptin are more likely to happen in: older women. women with diabetes.
What is Herceptin?
Herceptin has active ingredients of trastuzumab. It is often used in breast cancer. eHealthMe is studying from 34,871 Herceptin users for its effectiveness, alternative drugs and more.
What is Echocardiogram abnormal?
Echocardiogram abnormal is found to be associated with 779 drugs and 332 conditions by eHealthMe.
How to use the study?
You can discuss the study with your doctor, to ensure that all drug risks and benefits are fully discussed and understood.
How the study uses the data?
The study uses data from the FDA. It is based on trastuzumab (the active ingredients of Herceptin) and Herceptin (the brand name). Other drugs that have the same active ingredients (e.g. generic drugs) are not considered. Dosage of drugs is not considered in the study.
Who is eHealthMe?
With medical big data and proven AI algorithms, eHealthMe provides a platform for everyone to run phase IV clinical trials. We study millions of patients and 5,000 more each day. Results of our real-world drug study have been referenced on 600+ peer-reviewed medical publications, including The Lancet, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Nature.
WARNING, DISCLAIMER, USE FOR PUBLICATION
WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.
How long after herceptin can you get pregnant?
Contraception should be used while receiving HERCEPTIN and for 7 months after your last dose of HERCEPTIN. If you are or become pregnant while receiving HERCEPTIN or within 7 months after your last dose of HERCEPTIN, you should immediately report HERCEPTIN exposure to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.
What are the problems with herceptin?
HEART PROBLEMS. These include heart problems—such as congestive heart failure or reduced heart function—with or without symptoms. The risk for and seriousness of these heart problems were highest in people who received both HERCEPTIN and a certain type of chemotherapy (anthracycline).
What are the risks of HERCEPTIN HYLECTA?
These include heart problems—such as congestive heart failure or reduced heart function—with or without symptoms. The risk for and seriousness of these heart problems were highest in people who received both HERCEPTIN HYLECTA and a certain type of chemotherapy (anthracycline).
How to report side effects of Genentech?
You should contact your doctor immediately if you have any of the side effects listed above. You are encouraged to report side effects to Genentech and the FDA. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1–800–FDA–1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1–888–835–2555.
Does herceptin cause breast cancer?
Side Effects Seen Most Often With HERCEPTIN. Some patients receiving HERCEPTIN for breast cancer had the following side effects: Some patients receiving HERCEPTIN for metastatic stomach cancer had the following side effects: You should contact your doctor immediately if you have any of the side effects listed above.
How long should you take herceptin after a missed dose?
Subsequent Herceptin maintenance doses should be administered 7 days or 21 days later according to the patient's schedule.
Does Genentech have a guarantee on reimbursement?
The completion and submission of coverage or reimbursement-related documentation are the responsibility of the patient and the healthcare provider. Genentech makes no guarantee concerning coverage or reimbursement for any service or item.
Is herceptin a node positive or negative?
Appropriate patients for adjuvant Herceptin therapy have HER2+ breast cancer that is node-positive—OR node- negative and the cancer is also hormone-negative (HR–)—OR node-negative and the patient has one of these high-risk factors: tumor grade 2 or 3, tumor size >2 cm, or patient age <35 years.
What to ask your doctor about herceptin?
When your doctor talks to you about Herceptin, ask them about your risk for heart and lung complications. Although these side effects are relatively rare, being prepared is always a wise decision.
How long does it take to take herceptin hylecta?
IV treatment with traditional Herceptin often lasts 30 to 90 minutes. Herceptin Hylecta is taken every 3 weeks for up to 1 year. Common or long-term side effects are similar to the common or long-term side effects of Herceptin.
How does herceptin affect cancer cells?
Herceptin attaches to the HER2 receptors on the surface of the cancer cells, which blocks the cells from receiving growth signals. As a result, growth is slowed or stopped. Herceptin is administered intravenously (through a vein into the bloodstream).
What happens when a cancer cell has HER2?
These HER2-positive cancers include: The HER2 protein in some breast and gastric cancers makes the cancer cells grow and divide. Herceptin attaches to the HER2 receptors on the surface of the cancer cells, which blocks the cells from receiving growth signals. As a result, growth is slowed or stopped.
How long does herceptin last?
Treatment often lasts 6 months to 1 year. When it’s used as the sole treatment for early breast cancer, Herceptin is administered every 3 weeks. When it’s used alongside chemotherapy, the drug is administered weekly for the first 12 or 18 weeks.
Can you take Herceptin with paclitaxel?
For metastatic breast cancer. If you’ve never received treatment for metastatic breast cancer before, your initial treatment will be Herceptin combined with the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel. If you’ve had at least one course of chemotherapy, Herceptin will be used on its own.
Can herceptin cause breathing problems?
On rare occasions, a person could have a serious reaction to Herceptin that interferes with their breathing. Other rare side effects that may occur include: low blood pressure. sudden swelling and narrowing of the airways, which can result in wheezing and trouble breathing.
How much does herceptin help with chemotherapy?
Previous research published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that adding Herceptin to standard chemotherapy treatment led to a 52 percent reduced risk of recurrence and a 33 percent improvement in survival .
When did herceptin come out?
When Herceptin came on the market in 1998 “it was a hit,” Dr. Ky says. “For women who have this HER2-positive breast cancer, Herceptin is a key to long-term survival and long-term well-being. So you hate to expose them to something that interrupts their treatment.”.
How many patients were in the study of herceptin?
The 167-site study included 468 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer beginning treatment with Herceptin. All of the patients had normal heart function and were not taking ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors or beta-blockers — both heart drugs — at the time of enrolling in the study. Half of the study participants had already received anthracyclines or were receiving anthracyclines concurrently with Herceptin. The 468 patients were then assigned to one of three regimens: receiving Zestril (lisinopril), which is an ACE inhibitor, Coreg (carvedilol), which is a beta-blocker, or a placebo. The study participants, whose average age was 51, were followed for two years.
Does herceptin help with heart damage?
Study Reveals a Strategy to Reduce Heart Damage Linked to the Breast Cancer Drug Herceptin. The research suggests that treating patients with chemotherapy, Herceptin, and one of two common cardiac drugs reduces heart damage. Herceptin is an important drug for women with HER2-positive breast cancer. Lewis Houghton/Alamy.
Is herceptin safe for breast cancer patients?
Lewis Houghton/Alamy. Breast cancer patients who take either of two heart medicines while undergoing treatment with Herceptin ( trastuzumab) were not protected from the cardiac damage that is a common side effect of Herceptin therapy.
Can HER2 be used for chemotherapy?
In recent years, oncologists have been reluctant to recommend anthracycline-based chemotherapy due to the growing recognition that the drugs are linked to heart damage.
Does Herceptin stop if it is reduced?
But most frequently, it’s a decline in ejection fraction, which is a measure of cardiac function.”. If tests show reduced heart function, “doctors tend to stop Herceptin and not restart it until the next checkup shows the heart has healed.