Search

Anthracycline-based cardiotoxicity is concerning for women with breast cancer and portends a dose-dependent risk of developing left ventricular dysfunction. Overall, the prevalence of heart failure (HF) is ≈2% of the total US population; however, BRCA-deficient mice have shown increased HF. We evaluated for the inherent risk of HF in women with BRCA mutations to determine whether treatment with anthracycline-based therapy increased this risk. We obtained results on BRCA mutation carriers regarding cancer treatment and HF, identified through the BRCA patient advocacy organization Facing Our Risk for Cancer Empowered (FORCE) and the Moffittbased Inherited Cancer Registry. In our patient group (232 BRCA1 and 159 BRCA2 patients; 10 with both mutations), 7.7% reported HF, with similar proportions in BRCA1 versus BRCA2 carriers (7.4% and 8.2%, respectively). These proportions are significantly higher than published rates (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in HF rates comparing anthracycline-treated versus anthracycline-naïve patients however (7.1% vs. 8.3%; p = 0.67). In addition, 9.1% of BRCA1 carriers and 8.2% of BRCA2 carriers reported arrhythmias. BRCA mutation carriers showed increased risk of cardiotoxicity versus the general population and an overall increased risk of cardiotoxicity from anthracycline-based therapy. Our study supports data that BRCA carriers have increased noncancer mortality from cardiotoxicity. A prospective trial to determine HF and conduction abnormalities in this population is warranted.

Introduction: Brain metastases are diagnosed in approximately 6% to 16% of all metastatic breast cancer patients. Theincidence of brain metastases is much higher for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positivebreast cancers, in the range of 25% to 34%. More patients are presenting with uncontrolled brain metastases sincetrastuzumab-based therapy has improved survival in this population. However, treatment options in these patients arelimited after whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) has failed. Case presentation: In an effort to control brain metastases, three patients who had progression of HER2-positive breastcancer after WBRT received the angiogenesis-inhibiting drug bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against thevascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ligand. The patients showed clinical improvement and regression of tumorgrowth. After initial diagnosis of brain metastases, patient 1 survived 14 months, patient 2 survived 32 months, and patient3 survived 45 months. Bevacizumab controlled brain metastases for 6, 13, and 19 months, respectively, after progressionon WBRT. Conclusion: This subset of patients with brain metastases and HER2/neu-positive breast cancer clearly responded to ananti-VEGF regimen, suggesting the need for a prospective clinical trial of bevacizumab with lapatinib or otherHER2-targeted therapy in this patient group.

1585 Background: Anthracycline related cardiac toxicity (CT) is a concern in treating women with breast cancer. The prevalence of heart failure (HF) affects 2% of the population, less so in women. Patients receiving anthracycline based therapy (ABT) have a dose-dependent risk of reduction in ejection fraction. Recent work by Dr. Verma suggests that BRCA-deficient mice manifest increased levels of cardiac failure. We sought to explore the risk for CT and evaluate the association between ABT and HF in female BRCA mutation carriers. Methods: An online survey was developed to collect information about breast cancer treatment (including HF) in BRCA mutation carriers through the national BRCA patient advocacy organization FORCE via their 2011 conference and their website as well as the Moffitt-based Inherited Cancer Registry (ICARE). The prevalence of CT and HF was calculated in both BRCA 1 and 2 breast cancer patients and compared to general population risks. Data from those that received ABT was compared to published HF rates from ABT. Results: Our sample included 227 BRCA1 carriers and 164 BRCA2 carriers in whom 6.4% reported cardiac toxicity (i.e., either HF and/or CT). This included similar proportions in BRCA1 vs BRCA2 carriers (i.e., 6.6% and 6.1%, respectively). These proportions are significantly higher than the published rate of 2% (all p-values < 0.001). Specifically regarding ABT, 112 mutation carriers had doxorubicin (Adriamycin) for treatment of whom 8% reported HF, similar to the 11 who had Epirubicin (11 patients), of whom 9% reported HF. Conclusions: Our data suggests that BRCA mutation carriers may have an increased risk of CT compared to the general population. In particular, women with BRCA mutations treated with ABT also appear to have a higher risk of developing CT and/or HF. This exploratory study provides the basis upon which larger retrospective and prospective studies are currently being planned. The high percentage of CT observed in this study requires confirmation as they could inform recommendation for cardiac screening and review of the current standard for ABT use in this population.