Reinduction of trastuzumab after symptomatic heart failure in a patient with metastatic breast cancer

Introduction: Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the HER2/neu protein. It is effectively used as a therapeutic agent in the adjuvant and metastatic setting of breast cancer overexpressing the HER2/neu marker. Trastuzumab was demonstrated to be synergistic with different cytotoxic agents. A known adverse effect of trastuzumab therapy is heart failure due to cardiomyopathy. Case: We report on one patient with histologically proven Her2/neu positive liver metastases in breast cancer who has been treated after 4 cycles of adjuvant FEC 2 years ago with paclitaxel and later with vinorelbine in combi…