Capecitabine in Combination with Trastuzumab as First-Line Therapy in a Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient with Associated Global Liver Function Impairment

Zusammenfassung

Mammakarzinom-Patienten mit Lebermetastasen und eingeschränkter Leberfunktion haben eine ungünstige Prognose und sind schwierig zu behandeln. Für diese Patientengruppe existiert keine validierte therapeutische Option, da viele Zytostatika an sich hepatoxisch sind oder in der Leber metabolisiert werden. Wir berichten über eine 49 Jahre alte Patientin mit metastasiertem Mammakarzinom und eingeschränkter Leberfunktion, bei der eine Kombinationstherapie mit niedrig-dosiertem Capecitabine und Trastuzumab zu einer starken Regression der Leberläsionen und zu einer Normalisierung der Leberwerte führte. Die Kombination von Trastuzumab und niedrig dosiertem Capecitabine stellt eine wertvolle Therapieoption bei Patienten mit eingeschränkter Leberfunktion aufgrund eines metastasierten, HER2/neu positiven Mammakarzinom dar.

Abstract

Breast cancer patients with liver metastases and impaired liver function have a poor prognosis and are difficult to treat. No standard therapeutic options exist as many cytotoxic agents are per se hepatotoxic or metabolised in the liver. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer and impaired liver function where the combination regime of lower-dose capecitabine and weekly trastuzumab infusions led to a dramatic regression of the hepatic lesions and normalisation of the liver function tests. The combination of trastuzumab and lower-dose capecitabine can be a valuable therapeutic option in patients with impaired liver function, due to metastatic breast cancer with HER2/neu protein overexpression.

Schlüsselwörter

Mammakarzinom - Lebermetastasen - Leberfunktionsstörung - Capecitabine - Trastuzumab

Key words

breast cancer - liver metastases - liver impairment - capecitabine - trastuzumab

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