Physicians Warned on Chemotherapy for Herceptin Patients

Physicians are being warned to avoid using anthracycline chemotherapy for up to 22 weeks in breast cancer patients who have recently stopped Herceptin (trastuzumab) therapy.

The European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) issued the warning based on findings of an ongoing clinical study that the half-life of Herceptin is longer than suspected, and use of the two drugs together is associated with an increased risk of cardiotoxicity.

"The half life is now estimated to be approximately 25 days, rather than 5-6 days. Thus Herceptin may persist in the circulation for up to 18 weeks (range 15-22 weeks) after stopping Herceptin treatment," according to a statement by the EMEA.

Physicians are advised that if anthracycline therapy cannot be avoided for up to 22 weeks after stopping Herceptin treatment, the patient's cardiac function should be carefully monitored.

Other sources: EMEA, Reuters