Incidence of hypomagnesemia in patients with HER2+ breast cancer treated with pertuzumab.

Authors

Nirja Shah

Nirja Shah

University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL

Nirja Shah , Karen Colleen Daily

Organizations

University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, University of Florida/UF Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, FL

Research Funding

No funding received
None.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. HER2 gene amplification/protein overexpression is seen in about 20% of breast cancer cases. Pertuzumab (P), an EGFR inhibitor, is a monoclonal antibody administered with Trastuzumab in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Breast oncologists across multiple institutions have noted hypomagnesemia in patients receiving P-containing regimens. Retrospective data from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and University of Florida Health have reported the incidence of hypomagnesemia in patients treated with P neoadjuvantly (8/90 and 7/25, respectively). Cetuximab and Panitumumab, also EGFR inhibitors, are well known to cause hypomagnesemia. Hypomagnesemia can be clinically associated with convulsions, atrial tachycardias, hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. This prospective study details the incidence, severity, and timeline of hypomagnesemia in HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated with P. Methods: 27 eligible patients were identified at two institutions through medical oncology clinic visits and weekly tumor board screenings. Inclusion criteria was HER2+ breast cancer patients initiating treatment with P. Patients receiving platinum agents were excluded (8/27). Following informed consent, magnesium levels were obtained along with standard of care comprehensive metabolic panels at the first four P infusions (19/27). Results: A one-sample binomial test was used to compare the proportion of hypomagnesemia at 3 months among subjects who receive P with 2% (historical control). Results demonstrated that only one patient developed a magnesium level below normal range, resulting in no significant difference with historical control (P = 0.291) This patient’s magnesium level was low at baseline and did not significantly improve or worsen throughout treatment with P. Conclusions: There was no significant incidence of hypomagnesemia noted in HER2+ breast cancer patients treated with P. This emphasizes the safety of P in patient populations prone to developing hypomagnesemia such as those receiving concurrent Carboplatin. Our results do not indicate clinical monitoring of hypomagnesemia is necessary for patients receiving P.

CharacteristicOverall (N = 19)*
Number of days between 1st and 4th cycle of P, Mean (SD)64.3 (4.3) days
Hypomagnesemia at 1st cycle of P18 (94.7%) = No
1 (5.3%) = Yes
Hypomagnesemia at 2nd cycle of Pertuzumab18 (94.7%) = No
1 (5.3%) = Yes
Hypomagnesemia at 3rd cycle of P17 (94.4%) = No
1 (5.6%) = Yes
Hypomagnesemia at 4th cycle of P16 (94.1%) = No
1 (5.9%) = Yes

* The values were converted into categorical variables (Y/N), since both institutions had different lab reference values.

**4th trial date unavailable for 2 patients. One patient received only 3 cycles of P; one patient transferred care elsewhere after 3 cycles of P.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Breast Cancer—Local/Regional/Adjuvant

Track

Breast Cancer

Sub Track

Local-Regional Therapy

Citation

J Clin Oncol 41, 2023 (suppl 16; abstr e12569)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.e12569

Abstract #

e12569

Abstract Disclosures