Overview of the impact of conventional systemic therapies on breast cancer.
Survival in women with breast cancer is improving in the western world, in part related to improved surgery, radiotherapy and adjuvant systemic therapy. Aromatase inhibitors are superior to tamoxifen in this clinical situation and several studies indicate that taxane-based chemotherapy is superior to non-taxane-based regimens. Herceptin is active alone in HER-2/neu +ve advanced breast cancer and four clinical trials are testing this agent in the adjuvant situation. It seems likely that herceptin will add to conventional therapies and thus will be the paradigm for the introduction of other biological therapies to improve cure rates.
Howell
Anthony
A
CRUK Department of Medical Oncology, University of Manchester, Christie Hospital, 550 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. Anthony.Howell@christie-tr.nwest.nhs.uk
Wardley
Andrew M
AM
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001691:Biological Therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D000068878:Trastuzumab