Breast Cancer Drug Trastuzumab Induces Cardiac Toxicity: Evaluation of HER2 as a Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in the United States and worldwide. Cancer occurs through the uncontrolled development of new abnormal cell growth. Clinicians and researchers strive to improve diagnostics and treatments in pursuit of remedying breast cancer, while limiting or removing any potential side effects that may arise. Unfortunately, traditional treatments, such as anthracyclines (i.e. Doxorubicin) can damage the cardiovascular system. Recent strategies have utilized antibody-based compounds as singular treatments, or in conjunction with other treatments, with the aim to minimize side effects. The Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) protein has been the target of numerous antibody-based breast cancer therapies, such as Trastuzumab (TZM) and Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1). This review will discuss the HER2 receptor as a diagnostic marker in targeting breast cancer using the therapeutic agents TZM and T-DM1, as well as discuss the induced cardiac toxicity following TZM and T-DM1 treatments.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author