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Iressa to treat breast cancer?

Page last modified on: October 10, 2008
Question from GranBelle: I've heard different things about Iressa—that it works in breast cancer, and that it doesn't work in breast cancer. Which is it?
Answers —Andrew Seidman, M.D.: When you phrase the question that way, the answer is it doesn't work in breast cancer. By this, I refer to at least four Phase 2 clinical trials that have shown either no or very minimal effectiveness for Iressa when used as a single agent or single drug. However, based on the evidence that inhibiting the epidermal growth factor receptor and estrogen receptor may translate into benefit not only in the laboratory but in patients, there are still clinical trials examining the potential for Iressa and anti-estrogen strategies such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors in combination.
Jennifer Armstrong, M.D.: Excellent question, and excellent response. Thank you very much.

On Wednesday, July 19, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Targeted Therapies: What is Right for You?Andrew Seidman, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. answered your questions about different kinds of targeted therapies and how they work.

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

Andrew D. Seidman, M.D.Andrew D. Seidman, M.D. is an attending physician for the Breast Cancer Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, and a professor of medicine, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Jennifer Armstrong, M.D.Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. is a breast cancer oncologist at Paoli Hematology-Oncology Associates in Paoli, Pa., with a special interest in physicians' communication skills.

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