Breast cancer research and treatment
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Non-invasive breast cancer is comprised of two distinct entities: lobular carcinoma in-situ (LCIS) and ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS). The natural history of each clinical entity is described and a biologic interpretation of the available data is offered. ⋯ The treatment of ductal carcinoma in-situ must take into account that breast-preserving therapy is now considered optimal treatment of invasive cancer of the breast, the disease we are trying to prevent. The pitfalls of recommending treatment based on retrospective data is emphasized and the need to support clinical trials designed to determine the optimal therapeutic management of intraductal carcinoma is affirmed.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jan 1992
In vitro potentiation by lonidamine of the cytotoxic effect of adriamycin on primary and established breast cancer cell lines.
Lonidamine is a new potential chemotherapeutic agent, relatively non-toxic, that can positively modulate the efficacy of several antineoplastic drugs. We evaluated the response of two established human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and BRC-230) and of 20 primary breast cancer cell lines to lonidamine, either alone or in combination with adriamycin, the drug most widely used in the management of breast cancer. Different schedules were tested by varying either concentration of the drugs (LND: 10-150 micrograms/ml; ADM: 0.10-0.15 micrograms/ml), or time of exposure (1-96 hours), or sequence of administration (ADM-->LND; LND-->ADM; ADM+LND). ⋯ Such efficacy was significantly greater than that expected from an additive effect between the two drugs. We conclude that lonidamine, when given according to an appropriate schedule, enhances, in vitro, the efficacy of adriamycin. A correct employment of lonidamine in the management of breast cancer might therefore potentiate the therapeutic effect of adriamycin.
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A study has been conducted to compare the nature and severity of post-operative sensory changes (sensory loss, paraesthesiae, and pain) among patients with breast cancer treated by either modified radical mastectomy or a conservative procedure (tumourectomy, axillary clearance, iridium implant, and external radiotherapy). There was a similar incidence of post-operative sensory loss in the two groups, reported by 82% of the mastectomy group and 77% of the iridium group, and an equivalent rate of improvement (76 and 80% respectively). ⋯ Improvement occurred in 58% of those with breast pain. These findings may have implications for the counseling of patients with breast cancer who are going to be treated by certain conservative procedures.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jan 1983
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA comparison of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and 5-fluorouracil (CAF) and cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, and prednisone (CMFVP) in patients with advanced breast cancer.
The Southeastern Cancer Study Group, in a prospectively randomized study involving patients with advanced breast cancer, has compared a low dose intermittently administered five-drug regimen including cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, and prednisone (CMFVP) with an aggressively administered three-drug regimen including cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and 5-fluorouracil (CAF). CAF induced more responses and more complete responses and a longer duration of disease control. However, only a marginal difference was demonstrated in overall survival between the two regimens (p = less than 0.10). ⋯ All of the differences between the two regimens were noted in the good risk pattern groups. CAF provided no additional benefit to patients presenting with poor risk patterns of metastases. Adriamycin-containing combinations may achieve a greater degree of tumor cell kill in certain subsets of patients with advanced breast cancer, but this provides only a marginal increase in survival.