Clinical breast cancer
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Clinical breast cancer · Oct 2002
ReviewOngoing US cooperative group trials using taxanes in the adjuvant setting.
The use of systemic adjuvant therapy in women with early-stage breast cancer has been demonstrated to have a profound impact on survival. The role of paclitaxel and docetaxel in the adjuvant setting has attracted a great deal of attention. Both of these agents are highly active in patients with advanced breast cancer. ⋯ The Breast Cancer International Research Group trial 001 compared the combination of docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide to 5-fluorouracil/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide. This trial demonstrated a promising reduction in the relative risk of recurrence of 32% for the docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide group. Ongoing trials will help to further define the role of taxanes in the adjuvant setting for patients with operable breast cancer.
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Clinical breast cancer · Oct 2002
ReviewHER2-positive breast cancer: update on Breast Cancer International Research Group trials.
HER2 gene amplification occurs in approximately 20% of primary breast cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis. Recently, trastuzumab, a humanized murine monoclonal antibody directed against the extracellular domain of HER2, was introduced for the treatment of patients with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer. Trastuzumab has activity as both a single agent and in combination with chemotherapy. ⋯ BCIRG 007 compares TH and TCH as first-line therapy in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. In both trials, entry is restricted to patients whose tumors are positive for HER2 gene amplification as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The data from these trials, in addition to the results from other ongoing randomized studies, will help define the optimal way to utilize trastuzumab in the management of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.