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Changing the way we think about anthracyclines?

Page last modified on: July 1, 2009
Question from AmyR: Are we changing the way we think about anthracyclines in regards to certain types of breast cancer?
Answer —Nicholas Robert, M.D.: The answer is yes, we are. We're doing a national trial comparing an anthracycline-based regimen and a non-anthracycline-based regimen. The rationale for this trial is that there is good information obtained from other studies where the retrospective analysis has been made. We find that the patients who benefit from the anthracyclines had tumors that were HER2-positive. This has been a recurrent finding and we are currently doing a clinical trial in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer where they either receive a regimen called TAC (Taxotere [chemical name: docetaxel], Adriamycin [chemical name: doxorubicin], and Cytoxan [chemical name: cyclophosphamide]) that contains the anthracycline Adriamycin, versus TC, which does not. This trial has been recently modified to add another question as to the role of Avastin in the treatment of early breast cancer with a treatment arm that consists of TC with Avastin. This is an ambitious clinical trial with a pool of 5,000 women and it really requires the support of many people including women who are diagnosed with breast cancer to participate in this clinical trial. All our advances in breast cancer when it comes to medical oncology are done through the process of clinical trial. So we are encouraging women who are eligible to participate in this trial to answer this question.

On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the ASCO Annual Meeting. Nick Robert, M.D. and Beth Baughman Dupree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about the newest findings on risk, screening, treatment, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Nicholas Robert, M.D.Nicholas Robert, M.D. is a co-chair of the Breast Committee of the U.S. Oncology Research Network and also chairs the Cancer Committee and Research Committee of the Inova Fairfax Hospital's Cancer Center. 

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon. Her clinical practice is located at Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center.

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