Clinical breast cancer
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Clinical breast cancer · Jan 2010
ReviewNovel treatment approaches for triple-negative breast cancer.
Triple-negative breast cancers share an aggressive biology, marked by increased recurrence risk and poorer survival compared with hormone receptor-positive subtypes. Few therapeutic trials have specifically focused on triple-negative breast cancer, and the treatment of patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer has changed little in the past decade. Over this time, however, attention has shifted to treatment approaches based on molecular subtypes of breast cancer, and investigation into the mechanistic underpinnings of these distinct subtypes has exploded. ⋯ This review provides an overview of the clinical features of triple-negative breast cancer and current treatment strategies in the adjuvant setting. Mechanisms of DNA repair and the DNA damage response are reviewed to provide background for understanding novel approaches targeting DNA repair defects in this disease with DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. Ongoing studies, including those investigating the role of antiangiogenic therapies, are also reviewed.
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Clinical breast cancer · Nov 2009
Use of multiple drains after mastectomy is associated with more patient discomfort and longer postoperative stay.
Seromas constitute a common complication following surgery for breast cancer, and closed drainage is used routinely to reduce its incidence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of number of drains on patient discomfort, seroma formation, and hospital stay during the immediate postoperative period after mastectomy for breast cancer. ⋯ The number of drains used after a mastectomy for breast cancer did not significantly affect the rate or amount of seromas in this study, but the use of a single drain after mastectomy was significantly associated with less discomfort and shorter postoperative hospital stay.
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Clinical breast cancer · May 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyZoledronic acid effectively prevents aromatase inhibitor-associated bone loss in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer receiving adjuvant letrozole: Z-FAST study 36-month follow-up results.
Postmenopausal women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are at risk for accelerated bone loss and subsequent fractures. The ongoing Zometa-Femara Adjuvant Synergy Trial (Z-FAST) is evaluating the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid in preventing such bone loss. ⋯ Up-front ZA more effectively prevents AI-associated bone loss in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer than delaying therapy until substantial bone loss or fracture occurs.
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Clinical breast cancer · May 2009
Multicenter StudyPhase I study of nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
This was an open-label, nonrandomized, multicenter, 2-stage phase I trial of safety and preliminary efficacy of nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NLD) in combination with trastuzumab in advanced breast cancer, with emphasis on cardiac toxicity. ⋯ Nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus trastuzumab is active in HER2-positive patients with advanced breast cancer and is associated with a lower risk of cardiac toxicity than conventional doxorubicin plus trastuzumab.
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Clinical breast cancer · Feb 2009
Phase II trial of weekly docetaxel, vinorelbine, and trastuzumab in the first-line treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
The combinations of trastuzumab/docetaxel and trastuzumab/vinorelbine are highly active in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We investigated the feasibility and safety of a 3-drug combination of trastuzumab, docetaxel, and vinorelbine as first-line therapy in this patient group. ⋯ The combination of trastuzumab, docetaxel, and vinorelbine is highly active as first-line treatment for patients with HER2-positive MBC. However, this regimen offers no obvious advantages over other less myelosuppressive trastuzumab-containing regimens, and its routine use is not supported by the study.