Expert opinion on biological therapy
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Expert Opin Biol Ther · Oct 2008
ReviewCardiovascular complications associated with biological therapies for breast cancer.
With increasing number of breast cancer survivors, treatment-associated toxicities are gaining importance because they may decrease quality of life and shorten expected survival. Biological treatment strategies are less toxic than conventional chemotherapy. However, practically all biological therapies for breast cancer induce cardiovascular complications. In the case of targeted therapies mechanisms of cardiotoxicity and strategies to manage cardiovascular disorders have not been completely defined. ⋯ Introduction of biological therapies has resulted in reduction of morbidity and mortality of breast cancer patients in recent years. However, all biological strategies bring a risk of cardiotoxicity and despite progress in the knowledge and management of cardiovascular complications there are still many unaswered questions.