Research News on Chemotherapy
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Xeloda Less Effective Than Standard Chemo for Older Women
Xeloda (chemcial name capecitabine) isn't as good as traditional IV chemotherapy at reducing the risk of breast cancer coming back in women older than 65 diagnosed with early-stage or locally advanced breast cancer (cancer that hadn't metastasized).
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Taxol Added to Chemo Combination Improved Survival of Women Diagnosed with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
After surgery to treat early-stage breast cancer, women who got Taxol after the FEC (fluorouracil, Ellence, Cytoxan) chemotherapy combination were more likely to be alive and cancer-free 5 years after diagnosis than women who got only FEC.
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Zometa May Lower Risk of Breast Cancer Spreading to Bones
Research suggests that Zometa, a bone-strengthening medicine, may slow the spread of breast cancer to bones.
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Taxol Weekly Better Than Every Three Weeks for Breast Cancer
Getting Taxol (chemical name: placlitaxel) every week seems to have more benefits than getting it every 3 weeks or getting Taxotere (chemical name: docetaxel) on either schedule.
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“Chemobrain” May Be Due to Stress
Two small studies suggest that "chemobrain" is more likely because of stress and the emotional toll of a breast cancer diagnosis rather than chemotherapy.
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Developing Anemia During Chemo Ups Risk of Recurrence
Developing anemia during chemotherapy to treat early-stage breast cancer seems to affect the risk of the cancer coming back.
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Herceptin with Dose-Dense Chemo Reduces Risk of Heart Problems
A small study has found that when Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) was given in combination with dose-dense chemotherapy, the risk of heart problems from Herceptin was lower than when Herceptin was given with a routine schedule of chemotherapy.
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Chemotherapy After Surgery Reduces Recurrence Risk of Hormone-Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer
Chemotherapy after surgery significantly reduces the risk of hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer coming back and increases survival, according to a review of previous research.
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Tamoxifen and Chemo Reduce Risk of New, Second Cancer
Tamoxifen and chemotherapy reduce the risk of developing a new, second breast cancer in the other breast.
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Circulating Tumor Cell Levels Show Treatment Is Working
Measuring circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream may offer doctors a way to tell is chemotherapy is working against metastatic breast cancer.
