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Open Access 13-10-2023 | Pruritus | Epidemiology

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

Authors: Stephanie Gu, Stephen Dusza, Elizabeth Quigley, Helen Haliasos, Alina Markova, Michael Marchetti, Andrea P. Moy, Chau Dang, Shanu Modi, Diana Lake, Sarah Noor, Mario E. Lacouture

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 2/2024

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.

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Title: Pruritus related to trastuzumab and pertuzumab in HER2 + breast cancer patients
Authors: Stephanie Gu
Stephen Dusza
Elizabeth Quigley
Helen Haliasos
Alina Markova
Michael Marchetti
Andrea P. Moy
Chau Dang
Shanu Modi
Diana Lake
Sarah Noor
Mario E. Lacouture
Publication date: 13-10-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Pruritus
Pertuzumab
Trastuzumab
Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 2/2024
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-023-07143-3

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