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Current Breast Cancer Reports
Published in: Current Breast Cancer Reports 1/2013

01-03-2013 | Systemic Therapy (J Cortes, Section Editor)

Chemotherapy in Patients with Anthracycline and Taxane-Pretreated Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Overview

Authors: Eleni Andreopoulou, Joseph A. Sparano

Published in: Current Breast Cancer Reports | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Anthracyclines and taxanes are cytotoxic agents commonly used for treatment of breast cancer, including in adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and metastatic settings. Each drug class is associated with cumulative and potentially irreversible toxicity, including cardiomyopathy (anthracyclines) and neuropathy (taxanes). This may either limit the duration of therapy for advanced disease, or prevent retreatment for recurrence if previously used as component of adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy. Several classes of cytotoxic agent have been evaluated in patients with anthracycline and taxane-pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC), including other antitubulins (vinorelbine, ixabepilone, eribulin), antimetabolites (capecitabine, gemcitabine), topoisomerase I inhibitors (irinotecan), platinum analogues (cisplatin, carboplatin), and liposomal doxorubicin preparations. No trials have shown an overall survival advantage for combination chemotherapy in this setting, indicating that single cytotoxic agents should usually be used, expect perhaps for patients with rapidly progressive disease and/or high tumor burden.
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Metadata
Title
Chemotherapy in Patients with Anthracycline and Taxane-Pretreated Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Overview
Authors
Eleni Andreopoulou
Joseph A. Sparano
Publication date
01-03-2013
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Breast Cancer Reports / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 1943-4588
Electronic ISSN: 1943-4596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-012-0097-1

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