A Case of Ventricular Arrhythmia in a Patient With HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer Receiving Trastuzumab

TL;DR

An elderly patient with HER2-positive gastric cancer developed heart issues while receiving trastuzumab-based treatment, highlighting the need for cardiac monitoring in similar cases.

Contribution

Reports on trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity in gastric cancer, a less studied area compared to breast cancer.

Findings

Ventricular arrhythmia and heart failure occurred in a patient on trastuzumab-based chemotherapy for gastric cancer.

No coronary or structural heart issues were found, suggesting trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity as the cause.

Symptoms resolved with antiarrhythmic therapy and did not recur.

Abstract

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive gastric cancer accounts for approximately 15% of gastric cancer cases. Trastuzumab (Trz), a monoclonal antibody targeting HER2, has been shown to improve overall survival when combined with chemotherapy. However, while Trz-induced cardiotoxicity (TIC) is a well-recognized adverse effect in breast cancer chemotherapy, reports on its occurrence in gastric cancer treatment remain limited.

Case Presentation: An 80-year-old Japanese male with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer (cStage III) developed ventricular arrhythmia and heart failure during postoperative chemotherapy with the Trz + SOX regimen (Trz, oxaliplatin, and TS-1). The patient initially underwent distal gastrectomy with D1+ lymphadenectomy for anemia and pyloric stenosis. Metastasis to the #8a lymph node (anterior superior lymph node of the common hepatic artery) and pancreatic invasion via lymph nodes were treated with two cycles of the Trz + SOX regimen, leading to a partial response. However, after the 11th cycle, he developed ventricular tachycardia and heart failure. Cardiac imaging and laboratory findings revealed no coronary artery disease or structural abnormalities, suggesting TIC as the underlying cause. Antiarrhythmic therapy with pharmacological agents led to symptom resolution, and no recurrence of arrhythmia or heart failure was observed.

Discussion: This case highlights the potential cardiotoxicity associated with nonanthracycline-based Trz regimens for gastric cancer. Pathophysiologically, HER2 signaling inhibition in cardiomyocytes may impair stress responses and repair mechanisms. The patient's advanced age, history of hypertension and anemia, and cumulative exposure to chemotherapy may have contributed to increased cardiac vulnerability. Careful monitoring of cardiac function is essential in elderly and comorbid patients undergoing Trz-based therapy for gastric cancer to mitigate the risk of cardiotoxicity.

Conclusion: Trz-based chemotherapy for HER2-positive gastric cancer, even without anthracyclines, may pose a risk of cardiotoxicity, particularly in elderly or comorbid patients. Further research is warranted to elucidate underlying mechanisms and optimize monitoring and prevention strategies in this population.

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