title: Paclitaxel for breast cancer: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experience.
abstract: The proven safety profile and antitumor activity of paclitaxel (Taxol) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer led investigators at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) to further examine the agent's potential in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Efficacy and tolerability studies of paclitaxel as single-agent therapy were undertaken, along with parallel investigations of quality-of-life parameters. The studies examined the effects of 96-hour infusion schedules of paclitaxel and are currently assessing the feasibility of a weekly 1-hour infusion schedule. Researchers at MSKCC also compared the results of a variety of two- and three-drug paclitaxel-containing regimens to determine possible synergism and better define safety profiles. They examined the combination of paclitaxel and edatrexate, as well as a promising combination of paclitaxel and a monoclonal antibody directed at growth factor receptors. The latter ongoing trial will include both laboratory studies that examine possible cellular mechanisms for the combination's observed synergy and a clinical trial that combines paclitaxel with a monoclonal antibody directed against the epidermal growth factor. In conclusion, the investigators discuss the optimal integration of paclitaxel into doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar)-based adjuvant therapy for node-positive stage II-III resectable breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Cornell University Medical College New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Seidman
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hudis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raptis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baselga
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fennelly
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Norton
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel