6LBA The benefit of regional irradiation in stage I–III breast cancer: 10 years results of the EORTC ROG and BCG phase III trial 22922/10925

Advanced radiotherapy techniques for breast cancer to minimize cardiovascular risk

SUMMARY 

Radiotherapy plays an integral role in the management of breast cancer and has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve overall survival. Recent reports in the literature have suggested a dose-dependent risk of cardiovascular disease following radiation treatment for breast cancer. This article highlights new advances in radiotherapy for breast cancer that may help minimize radiotherapy doses to the heart.

[Locoregional breast radiotherapy and concurrent treatment with trastuzumab]

The overexpression of the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) is observed in 15% of breast cancers and associated with poor prognosis in terms of overall survival. Trastuzumab is an anti-HER2 targeted therapy, leading to a specific inhibition of the molecular mechanisms triggered by this receptor. In an adjuvant setting, trastuzumab and radiotherapy have each proved their oncologic efficacy in the management of the breast tumours presenting this molecular profile. However, both treatments expose to an increased risk of toxicities, particularly cardiovascular ones. Moreover, the radiosensitizing effect of trastuzumab has been proved in vitro and in vivo. Hence, in clinical practice, the benefit/risk ratio of a concurrent treatment remains to be defined. This literature review has for purposes to describe the rationale making conceivable the administration of trastuzumab concurrently with locoregional breast radiotherapy, and to remind the results of the clinical studies having assessed this therapeutic association.