title: Integrating gemcitabine into breast cancer therapy.
abstract: Gemcitabine (Gemzar) possesses meaningful antitumor activity in the treatment of breast cancer, repeatedly demonstrating superior outcomes without the price of excessive toxicity in most patients. In combination with other agents, it has a potential for nonoverlapping toxicities, a novel mechanism of action, as well as a potential lack of complete cross-resistance. Randomized phase III trials with gemcitabine have yielded response rates that have translated into time to disease progression and survival benefits. Thus, enthusiasm continues for gemcitabine, especially in combination with other cytotoxic agents. The augmentation of efficacy (ie, response rates, time to disease progression, overall survival) by the addition of gemcitabine to paclitaxel has established this regimen as a first-line treatment option for patients who might benefit from combination therapy. Gemcitabine now remains under active investigation for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, with ongoing trials characterizing its role in the neoadjuvant setting.
authors.affiliation: Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA. dyardley@tnonc.com
authors.forename: Denise A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Yardley
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017671:Platinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017671:Platinum Compounds; D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D000093542:Gemcitabine