Choosing the appropriate breast cancer therapy for today's breast cancer patient.
OBJECTIVE
To identify which patients might be the best candidates to receive combination targeted therapies for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.


METHODS
Published research articles, abstracts, and clinical experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Factors including tumor size, age, HER2 positivity, and hormone receptor content help determine the optimal approach toward the treatment of breast cancer in the individual patient. Further research will clarify the role of targeted agents in the adjuvant setting, along with the hope of a cure.


CONCLUSIONS
The oncology nurse must be aware of current and emerging therapies - whether they be intravenously or orally administered - and the proper methods to help characterize patients who might likely benefit from these agents.
Disease Specific Oncology Research and Development, Memorial Cancer Institute, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA. cfrankel@mhs.net
Cynthia
C
Frankel
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077341:Lapatinib; D008408:Mastectomy; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077341:Lapatinib; D011799:Quinazolines; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab