Articles

A case of sarcoid-like reaction in a patient with HER2-positive breast carcinoma treated with trastuzumab and pertuzumab

BJMO - volume 19, issue 1, january 2025

E. De Smet MA, D. Schrijvers MD, PhD, K. De Muynck MD, A. Vandebroek MD, E. De Droogh MD

SUMMARY

This case report describes a sarcoid like reaction (SLR) in a patient with HER2-positive breast cancer undergoing treatment with trastuzumab and pertuzumab. SLRs are granulomatous reactions characterized by non-caseating epithelioid granulomas that can occur in cancer patients in response to infection, malignancy, or drugs. If found they have the potential to complicate radiological interpretations, mimic disease progression and challenge treatment evaluation. In HER2-positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab, drug-induced SLRs have been reported, although not commonly. Clinicians should be aware of this entity, and when in doubt, tissue biopsy is needed to avoid misdiagnosis.

((BELG J MED ONCOL 2025;19(1):32–35)

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