Herceptin Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Herceptin, including details on side-effects, breast cancer, treatment, therapy.

Trastuzumab/docetaxel-induced nail dystrophy.

Alexandrescu DT, Vaillant J, Wiernik PH

New York Medical College, Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, Comprehensive Cancer Center, NY.

Combination of trastuzumab, an antibody directed against the Her-2/neu receptor, with chemotherapy is increasingly used for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, and currently is being explored in the adjuvant setting. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer, who developed nail dystrophic changes comprising Beau's lines, subungual hyperkeratosis, dyschromia and onycholysis early in the treatment with trastuzumab/docetaxel. Nail alterations advanced with the continuation of therapy. This combination of nail changes, and its progressive course, are extremely rarely encountered with the use of taxanes alone. The cellular mechanisms of action of trastuzumab and docetaxel are discussed in regards to their potential synergy, which may explain the particularities and severity of nail alterations in this patient.

Published 1 November 2006 in Int J Dermatol, 45(11): 1334-6.
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