Eribulin mesylate for the treatment of breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death among women in the USA, and additional effective and well-tolerated chemotherapeutic agents are urgently needed. Eribulin mesylate (E7389), a synthetic analog of the marine macrolide halichondrin B, is a microtubule inhibitor with a unique tubulin binding site and mechanism of action.


METHODS
Based on a review of the literature between 2005 and 2010, we present a summary of eribulin and its clinical activity, specifically in metastatic breast cancer.


RESULTS
The mechanism of action of eribulin, preclinical data indicating antitumor activity of eribulin and data from Phase I and II clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of eribulin are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on data from Phase I and II clinical trials, we conclude that eribulin seems to have efficacy in metastatic breast cancer, even among women with heavily pretreated and taxane-resistant disease. In addition, eribulin has a manageable side-effect profile, consisting mainly of neutropenia and fatigue, and most notably a low incidence of peripheral neuropathy. With these encouraging results, additional Phase II and III studies are ongoing. Eribulin seems to be a promising new agent for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Cigler
Tessa
T
Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 425 East 61st Street - 8th Floor, New York, NY 10021, USA. tec9002@med.cornell.edu
Vahdat
Linda T
LT
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005663:Furans / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007659:Ketones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000095662:Polyether Polyketides
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005663:Furans; D007659:Ketones; C490954:eribulin; D000095662:Polyether Polyketides