Chemotherapy

Irinotecan for brain metastases of lung and breast cancer

Because irinotecan penetrates the brain-blood barrier and has an effect in primary brain cancer, there is some interest in using it for brain metastasis, especially for lung cancer and breast cancer. Most studies of irinotecan had been for brain mets of small(SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer(NSMCLC) and not breast cancer and have had mixed results. One study enrolled several different cancer types and reported complete responses with irinotecan-based

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Taxotere and Cytoxan for metastatic breast cancer

Preclinical data demonstrate in vitro synergy for combinations of docetaxel (Taxotere) and cyclophosphamide. As single agents, both drugs have proven highly active against breast cancer, and the activity of the combination has been confirmed by several phase II studies. More recently, it has proven adjuvant efficacy on par with anthracycline containing regimen in a trial to directly compare AC to Taxotere/Cytoxan (TC) as adjuvant treatment in breast

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Tykerb and Taxol for metastatic breast cancer

The Taxol and Tykerb combination has recently been shown to improve quality of life in metastatic breast cancer patients versus Taxol alone.  In a phase 3 randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, first-line therapy with Tykerb plus Taxol significantly improved clinical outcomes based on a pre-planned. The combination of investigational Tykerb (lapatinib) and Taxol (paclitaxel) as neoadjuant chemotherapy appears effective

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Herceptin and Gemcitabine for Breast Cancer

Gemcitabine is a very active drug for breast cancer. Since a study demonstrated that Herceptin(trastuzumab) plus Taxol is associated with a clinical benefit that is superior to that of a Taxol alone,  a number of combinations have been studied, including Herceptin with gemcitabine. A 2006 review in "The Oncologist" cites two trials of gemcitabine/trastuzumab as a second-line therapy; in one trial this combination treatment resulted in a response

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Taxol and Carboplatin for Neoadjuvant Therapy

Docetaxel and carboplatin is a well established chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer. The advantage of this combination is that it does not contain an anthracycline, which can negatively affect heart function. Two independent phase II studies have shown that the combination of carboplatin and docetaxel (Taxotere®; Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Bridgewater, NJ) is active in the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. A recent review

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