Cardiac surveillance for anti-HER2 chemotherapy

Abstract

Surveillance of left ventricular function, part of current US Food and Drug Administration recommendations for anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (anti-HER2) chemotherapy, is based on historical data involving patients who received concomitant anthracycline therapy, a key enhancer of cardiac risk. More recent anti-HER2 treatment data suggest that cardiotoxicity detected by screening is rare and usually benign for patients who do not have cardiovascular risk factors and are not taking an anthracycline. Because of the burden of repetitive echocardiography required for surveillance and the risk of false-positive results, potentially leading to discontinuing lifesaving treatment, we advocate for a more focused cardiac surveillance strategy.