Skip to content

Role of anthracyclines in treatment?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from NancyJ: Could you comment on the NBC news segment by Robert Bazell about research by Dr. Dennis Slamon presented at this conference? Included in the news segment is the statement: "The anthracyclines—with all their side effects—have almost no effect in 92 percent of breast cancer cases." It goes on to say this is "exciting news." Well, not for thousands of women (including myself) who have had chemotherapy!!!
Answers —Nicholas Robert, M.D.: The role of anthracyclines in breast cancer in both metastatic disease and in the adjuvant setting represented a very positive step in the treatment of patients. However, over time, we are beginning to understand better the benefit of anthracyclines. There is some evidence that suggests that patients with HER2-positive breast cancer may not need to be treated with an anthracycline, and even patients who are HER2 negative may also not need to be treated with anthracycline. There is work being done trying to identify those patients who may not need to be treated with an anthracycline. The biology relates to an enzyme Topoisomerase, which is abnormal in a majority of breast tumors. It may be that this is the only group that truly benefits from anthracycline. However, much work needs to be done to see if this is true.
Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P.: For a large number of women, anthracyclines are still routinely utilized. So until we have more information for large numbers of women, anthracyclines are used in the treatment of early stage disease either with agents such as Cytoxan (chemical name: cyclophosphamide) or with the taxanes. Dr. Slamon's research will hopefully let us identify the appropriate patient population that will most benefit from these agents.
Nicholas Robert, M.D.: We—that is, US Oncology Network—have currently initiated a clinical trial where we are treating a group of patients with a regimen that does not include anthracyclines versus a regimen that does to see if we can omit anthracyclines in some patients.

On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2008 ASCO Annual Meeting. Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. and moderator Nicholas Robert, M.D. answered your questions about the latest news on breast cancer screening, treatment, and side effects reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.

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.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

wellness_dvd_promo

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.PGenerosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. is the director of the Cooper Cancer Institute and heads the division of hematology/medical oncology at Cooper University Hospital.

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. 

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.