Pruritus related to trastuzumab and pertuzumab in HER2 + breast cancer patients

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2024 Jan;203(2):271-280. doi: 10.1007/s10549-023-07143-3. Epub 2023 Oct 13.

Abstract

Purpose: The combination of trastuzumab and pertuzumab (HP) as part of a taxane-based regimen has shown benefit in the adjuvant and metastatic HER2 + breast cancer setting. In the CLEOPATRA trial, pruritus was reported in 11-17.6% of patients. The clinical phenotype and potential treatment strategies for this event have not been reported.

Methods: A retrospective review of 2583 patients receiving trastuzumab and pertuzumab for the treatment of HER2 + breast cancer from 11/23/2011 to 6/21/2021 was performed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Patient demographics, pruritus characteristics, and treatments as documented in the electronic medical record (EMR) were included in this analysis.

Results: Of 2583 pts treated with HP, 122 (4.72%) with pruritus were identified. On average, patients experienced pruritus 319.0 days (8-3171) after initiation of HP. The upper extremities (67.4%), back (29.3%), lower extremities (17.4%), and shoulders (14.1%) were the most commonly affected regions. Grade 1/2 pruritus (97.6%) occurred in most cases. Patients responded primarily to treatment with topical steroids (52.2%), antihistamines (29.9%), emollients (20.9%), and gabapentinoids (16.4%). Of those with pruritus, 4 patients (3.3%) required treatment interruption or discontinuation.

Conclusions: Pruritus is uncommon in patients on trastuzumab and pertuzumab, generally a chronic condition, with gabapentinoids or antihistamines representing effective therapies.

Keywords: Dermatologic adverse events; Pertuzumab; Pruritus; Rash; Trastuzumab.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Breast Neoplasms* / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Histamine Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Trastuzumab

Substances

  • Trastuzumab
  • pertuzumab
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Histamine Antagonists
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized