Safety concerns of using HER2-targeting therapies in gastrointestinal cancers 

Sara Lonardi, MD, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padua, Italy, addresses safety considerations when utilizing HER2-directed therapies in gastrointestinal cancers. While rare, there is a risk of developing interstitial lung disease (ILD) with trastuzumab deruxtecan. Prompt recognition of grade 1 toxicity symptoms is crucial, following clinical guidelines that recommend discontinuing treatment until ILD resolves to grade 0, followed by corticosteroids. Escalation to grade 2 toxicity necessitates discontinuation of trastuzumab deruxtecan. Managing other toxicity symptoms such as nausea and vomiting with anti-emetic medications is feasible, but maintaining the balance between symptom relief and preserving the efficacy of anticancer treatment remains pivotal. This interview took place at 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Annual Congress in Munich, Germany.
These works are owned by Magdalen Medical Publishing (MMP) and are protected by copyright laws and treaties around the world. All rights are reserved.