Gemcitabine for breast cancer – pro
Lay Summary: Gemcitabine is a standard option for metastatic breast cancer.
Current approach to metastatic breast cancer is to treat with one single agent after another at progression, after first line therapy fails. The paradigm is that of a chronic disease and to decrease toxicity of longe term therapy and some patients can be carried for years in this fashion. Gemcitabine is one of single agents sequenced in this fashion. Gemcitabine is FDA indicated for breast cancer in combination with paclitaxel for front line therapy. It is guideline recommended afer first line as a single agent. Gemcitabine is given on a weekly or every other week schedule.
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TA116
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Gemcitabine for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. London (UK): National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE); 2007 Jan. 24 p. (Technology appraisal guidance; no. 116).
Dent S, Messersmith H, Trudeau M, Breast Cancer Disease Site Group. The role of gemcitabine in the management of metastatic breast cancer: a clinical practice guideline. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); 2007 Jan 22. 5 p. (Evidence-based series; no. 1-12). [11 references]