 |
|
Standard chemo works better against metastatic BRCA1/2 breast cancer than against sporadic tumors
April 17, 2008Berlin, Germany: The first study to investigate the effects of chemotherapy on metastatic breast cancer in women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation has shown that standard chemotherapy works better in these patients than in women without the BRCA1/2 mutation.
The authors of a study presented today (Thursday) at the 6th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-6) in Berlin found that women with BRCA2-associated breast cancer had a significantly higher response rate, a longer time without the disease progressing, and a longer overall survival when treated with anthracycline-based regimens than did women with sporadic breast cancers that were not associated with BRCA1/2.
Women with BRCA1-associated breast cancer also did better than women with sporadic breast cancer, but the rates were not statistically significant.
Researchers at the Daniel den Hoed Cancer Centre/Erasmus Medical Centre (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) conducted the study. They matched 112 women with BRCA1-associated metastatic cancer and 29 women with BRCA2-associated metastatic cancer with 141 women with sporadic breast cancers. The women had been treated with anthracycline-based or taxane-based regimens, CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil 5FU) or other chemotherapy regimens.
BRCA2 women had a higher response rate to chemotherapy (89% versus 50%), a longer progression-free survival (nearly a third better) and a longer overall survival (47% better) than did women with sporadic cancers. When the researchers looked more closely at the type of chemotherapy the women had received, they found that the improved progression-free survival mainly occurred in patients on anthracyclines and disappeared for those treated with CMF.
The lead author of the study, Dr Mieke Kriege, an epidemiologist and project researcher at the Rotterdam Family Cancer Clinic, said: "It is difficult to make firm conclusions about response to different treatments from our results so far, but it does seem that the higher sensitivity to treatment by BRCA2-associated patients is especially caused by the anthracycline regimen."
The project leader, Professor Jan Klijn, medical oncologist and chairman of the Rotterdam Family Cancer Clinic, said: "Our findings show that various standard chemotherapy regimens are clinically effective in the treatment of metastatic BRCA1/2-associated breast cancer. The observation of the high efficacy of anthracycline-based regimens is especially reassuring. However, we would like to emphasise that larger, additional studies are urgently needed to investigate further newer regimens containing taxanes and platinum compounds."
Dr Kriege said: "Currently, there are very few studies on the efficacy of chemotherapy in BRCA1/2-associated breast cancer - mainly a few, very small studies with less than 44 patients in the neo-adjuvant setting. Our study is the only one in metastatic disease and, with 141 BRCA1/2 gene mutation carriers included, it is by far the largest study in the world."
The authors believe that an explanation of why chemotherapy seems to work better in BRCA1/2 breast cancers than in sporadic cancers is due to the lack of a working BRCA1/2 protein. "Functional BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins are involved in DNA repair," said Dr Kriege. "Most chemotherapeutic agents are active by damaging DNA (especially anthracycline-based regimens). In BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, who have no functional BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins respectively, DNA repair after chemotherapy might be worse than in sporadic patients resulting in better treatment responses. Pre-clinical studies showed that BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutated cells are especially sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents that cause double-strand DNA breaks (such as anthracyclines and platinum)."
The researchers now plan to investigate the effects of adjuvant and neo-adjuvant treatments in women with BRCA1/2-associated breast cancers, and to evaluate taxane and platinum therapies further.
ECCO-the European CanCer Organisation
Researchers at the Daniel den Hoed Cancer Centre/Erasmus Medical Centre (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) conducted the study. They matched 112 women with BRCA1-associated metastatic cancer and 29 women with BRCA2-associated metastatic cancer with 141 women with sporadic breast cancers. The women had been treated with anthracycline-based or taxane-based regimens, CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil 5FU) or other chemotherapy regimens.
BRCA2 women had a higher response rate to chemotherapy (89% versus 50%), a longer progression-free survival (nearly a third better) and a longer overall survival (47% better) than did women with sporadic cancers. When the researchers looked more closely at the type of chemotherapy the women had received, they found that the improved progression-free survival mainly occurred in patients on anthracyclines and disappeared for those treated with CMF.
The lead author of the study, Dr Mieke Kriege, an epidemiologist and project researcher at the Rotterdam Family Cancer Clinic, said: "It is difficult to make firm conclusions about response to different treatments from our results so far, but it does seem that the higher sensitivity to treatment by BRCA2-associated patients is especially caused by the anthracycline regimen."
The project leader, Professor Jan Klijn, medical oncologist and chairman of the Rotterdam Family Cancer Clinic, said: "Our findings show that various standard chemotherapy regimens are clinically effective in the treatment of metastatic BRCA1/2-associated breast cancer. The observation of the high efficacy of anthracycline-based regimens is especially reassuring. However, we would like to emphasise that larger, additional studies are urgently needed to investigate further newer regimens containing taxanes and platinum compounds."
Dr Kriege said: "Currently, there are very few studies on the efficacy of chemotherapy in BRCA1/2-associated breast cancer - mainly a few, very small studies with less than 44 patients in the neo-adjuvant setting. Our study is the only one in metastatic disease and, with 141 BRCA1/2 gene mutation carriers included, it is by far the largest study in the world."
The authors believe that an explanation of why chemotherapy seems to work better in BRCA1/2 breast cancers than in sporadic cancers is due to the lack of a working BRCA1/2 protein. "Functional BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins are involved in DNA repair," said Dr Kriege. "Most chemotherapeutic agents are active by damaging DNA (especially anthracycline-based regimens). In BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, who have no functional BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins respectively, DNA repair after chemotherapy might be worse than in sporadic patients resulting in better treatment responses. Pre-clinical studies showed that BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutated cells are especially sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents that cause double-strand DNA breaks (such as anthracyclines and platinum)."
The researchers now plan to investigate the effects of adjuvant and neo-adjuvant treatments in women with BRCA1/2-associated breast cancers, and to evaluate taxane and platinum therapies further.
ECCO-the European CanCer Organisation
Chemotherapy Current Events and Chemotherapy News RSS1930s drug slows tumor growth
Drugs sometimes have beneficial side effects. A glaucoma treatment causes luscious eyelashes. A blood pressure drug also aids those with a rare genetic disease.
First use of antibody and stem cell transplantation to successfully treat advanced leukemia
For the first time, researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have reported the use of a radiolabeled antibody to deliver targeted doses of radiation, followed by a stem cell transplant, to successfully treat a group of leukemia and pre-leukemia patients for whom there previously had been no other curative treatment options.
New Synthetic Molecules Trigger Immune Response to HIV and Prostate Cancer
Researchers at Yale University have developed synthetic molecules capable of enhancing the body's immune response to HIV and HIV-infected cells, as well as to prostate cancer cells. Their findings, published online in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for these diseases.
Chemo-radiation before prostate removal may prevent cancer recurrence
Researchers in the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute and the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center have found a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy given before prostate removal is safe and may have the potential to reduce cancer recurrence and improve patient survival.
PMH finding may help some tonsil cancer patients avoid chemotherapy
Clinical researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) have confirmed that patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer ("tonsil cancer") harbour a common type of human papilloma virus (HPV16), but also that such cancers are very sensitive to radiation.
Study of concurrent radiotherapy, chemotherapy shows promise in small cell lung cancer
Treating limited stage small cell lung cancer(LSCL) with a combination of accelerated high-dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy has shown encouraging results.
Blood vessels might predict prostate cancer behavior
A diagnosis of prostate cancer raises the question for patients and their physicians as to how the tumor will behave. Will it grow quickly and aggressively and require continuous treatment, or slowly, allowing therapy and its risks to be safely delayed?
Discovery offers potential new pancreatic cancer treatment
Tiny particles that can carry drugs and target cancer cells may offer treatment hope for those suffering with pancreatic cancer. New research to be presented in November at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting in Los Angeles reveals that tumor-penetrating microparticles (TPM) have been specifically designed to break through hard-to-infiltrate barriers and deliver drugs more effectively and efficiently than the standard form of chemotherapy such as those injected through a vein.
Early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer patients at increased risk of recurrence
Early-stage breast cancer patients with HER2 positive tumors one centimeter or smaller are at significant risk of recurrence of their disease, compared to those with early-stage disease who do not express the aggressive protein, according to a study led by researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
An exquisite container
In campy old movies, Lucretia Borgia swans around emptying powder from her ring into wine glasses carelessly left unattended. The poison ring is usually a confection of gold filigree holding a cabochon or faceted gemstone that can be broken to empty the ring's contents. It is invariably enormous - so large it is rather odd nobody seems to notice it.
More Chemotherapy Current Events and Chemotherapy News Articles
 |
Chemotherapy and Radiation For Dummies by Alan P. Lyss (Author), Humberto Fagundes (Author), Patricia Corrigan (Author) An informative, compassionate guide for cancer patients and their loved ones Each year, more than 1 million people get treated for cancer, and most of these will undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. This reassuring, optimistic guide helps people get a handle on treatment options and explains in plain English how chemotherapy and radiation therapy really work. It offers detailed advice on how to alleviate and cope with side effects-which range from hair loss to nausea to anemia-and describes how good nutrition, meditation, support groups, and other techniques and resources can help in the recovery process. |
 |
The Chemotherapy Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Get Through Treatment by Judith McKay (Author), Tamera Schacher (Author) The first and second editions of this best-selling guide have already helped thousands of people understand chemotherapy and prepare themselves or their loved ones for treatment. The book is used as the primary chemotherapy patient education tool in outpatient clinics nationwide. This new third edition of The Chemotherapy Survival Guide includes updated information on topics including biotherapy, immunotherapy, nutrition, stress reduction, chemotherapy drugs, and more. Written by experienced oncology nurses Judith McKay and Tamera Schacher, this reassuring, optimistic guide helps readers understand their treatment options and explains in plain English how different types of chemotherapy really work. The book includes detailed advice on how to cope with and alleviate the side... |
 |
Physicians' Cancer Chemotherapy Drug Manual: 2009 by Edward Chu (Author), Vincent DeVita Jr. (Author) Completely revised and updated for 2009, the Physicians Cancer Chemotherapy Drug Manual is an up-to-date guide to the latest information on standard therapy and recent advances in the field. Written by world-class experts in the clinical cancer therapeutics, this essential reference provides a complete, easy-to-use catalogue of over 100 drugs and commonly used drug regimens both on-and off-label for the treatment of all the major cancers. Special features: Features new drugs: Bendamustine, Ixabepilone, and Nilotinib; Revised to reflect rapid advances in the field, incorporating new drug and treatment strategies; diagrams of drug structures and pathways for each agent; Offers a comprehensive discussion of clinical pharmacology, special considerations, indications, and dosages; Covers... |
 |
Handbook of Cancer Chemotherapy by Roland T. Skeel (Editor) The Seventh Edition of this pocket reference is a practical, disease-focused guide to the best current medical practice in cancer chemotherapy. In easy-to-follow outline format, the book provides complete coverage of the principles of rational chemotherapy, the chemotherapeutic and biotherapeutic agents available, the treatment of specific cancers, and selected aspects of supportive care. Emphasis is on the indications, dosage/schedule, potential toxicities, and safe administration of the drugs and their use in treating specific malignancies. This edition describes seventeen new chemotherapeutic agents, with particular attention to molecular targeted agents. Updated chapters on individual cancers and supportive care provide state-of-the-art treatment recommendations. |
 |
Sparkle Glitter Newsboy Cap / Black / Cancer Patients Chemotherapy Hats by Florida Hat Company Comfortable and attractive for those experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy treatments. |
 |
Questioning Chemotherapy by Ralph W. Moss (Author) A revealing critique of chemotherapy, this book looks objectively at chemo's successes and failures. |
 |
Ensure High Calcium Complete Balanced Nutrition, Ready to Use, Creamy Milk Chocolate Shake, 24- 8 Fluid Ounce Bottles by Ensure Ensure High Protein shakes are packed with 12 grams of high - quailty protein to help build muscles. And when you drink high protein shakes, you‘re getting a delicious source of protein that’s low in cholesterol and saturated fat. |
 |
Healthy Eating During Chemotherapy by Jose van Mil (Author) People undergoing chemotherapy often experience changes in appetite and taste. Similar problems frequently arise during radiotherapy, Another common side effect is a sore mouth, making it painful to eat. At the same time, it is vital for their recovery that patients keep their body weight up. This unique cookbook is the first of its kind, offering nutritional advice and delicious recipes to help cancer patients keep on enjoying food while fighting to get better. Devised by a chef and based on medical research, the first section of the book discusses which foods are good to eat and which are not. The second part of the book contains over 160 recipes that have been created to soothe the palate. With chapter titles like Smooth, Crispy, and Soft with a Bite, the recipes focus on the... |
 |
The Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy Survival Guide (Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Survivor's Guide) by Judith McKay (Author), Nancee Hirano (Author) |
|
Journal of Chemotherapy - Incls Supplement by Esift Srl Publishes articles on oncological, immunomodulating and antimicrobial chemotherapy. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |