Abstract
Cytotoxic chemotherapy is important for treatment of women with hormone-insensitive or hormone-refractory advanced breast cancer. A variety of agents are effective, alone or in combination. The clinical activity and side effects of many agents, as well as principles for use of chemotherapy, are reviewed. Recent advances in chemotherapy for breast cancer include important studies on the role of dose-intensity, modifications of available agents to reduce side effects, and the availability of oral chemotherapeutics. Finally, the combination of chemotherapy with novel biological agents may improve outcomes for women with certain types of breast cancer. The growing availability of such biological therapies given in combination with chemotherapy may mean better survival in the future for women with advanced breast cancer.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Cisplatin / therapeutic use
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Clinical Trials as Topic
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Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
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Deoxycytidine / therapeutic use
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Docetaxel
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Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
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Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Female
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Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
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Gemcitabine
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Humans
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Liposomes
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Paclitaxel / analogs & derivatives
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Paclitaxel / therapeutic use
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Taxoids*
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Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
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Trastuzumab
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Vinblastine / analogs & derivatives
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Vinblastine / therapeutic use
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Vinorelbine
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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Liposomes
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Taxoids
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Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
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Deoxycytidine
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Docetaxel
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Vinblastine
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Doxorubicin
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Trastuzumab
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Paclitaxel
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Cisplatin
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Vinorelbine
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Fluorouracil
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Gemcitabine