AUTHOR=Soyano Aixa E. , Reynolds Gina , Moreno-Aspitia Alvaro , Chumsri Saranya 

TITLE=Rifaximin for Pertuzumab-Related GI Toxicities

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2017.00168

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2017.00168

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p>Pertuzumab is a monoclonal antibody against HER2. Diarrhea and abdominal pain are common adverse events of pertuzumab-based therapy, occurring in almost 70% of patients. The incidence of gastrointestinal toxicities intensifies when pertuzumab is given in combination with chemotherapy. Rifaximin, a non-absorbable oral antibiotic, may provide symptomatic relief in patients with refractory gastrointestinal toxicities from pertuzumab-based therapy beyond standard routine antidiarrheal medications. We present a case of HER2-related therapy-induced diarrhea and abdominal pain managed successfully with Rifaximin.</p>