Background: Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits tumor cell growth by binding to the extracellular region of the HER 2 protein and blocking the signalling pathway with overexpressed HER 2 positive breast cancer patients. Mostly presented at an advanced stage and have a significantly shortened disease-free and overall survival. Our objective is to find out the frequency of cardiac toxicity with trastuzumab given subcutaneous.
Method: Questionnaire form for audit was developed which included questions on shortness of breath, palpitation, edema feet, and chest pain and echocardiogram report. Trastuzumab is given through subcutaneous route at dose of 600 mg and eechocardiogram monitored at every 3 months. Data collected from April 2022 till August 2022.
Result: Fifty patients’ data was collected, out of theses only one patient developed shortness of breath. and chest pain. Two echocardiograms’ reports were checked at an interval of three months, both showing normal ejection fraction (55% to 60%).
Conclusion: Cardiac toxicity is minimal with trastuzumab given subcutaneously.