Interactive Case Studies - Overview

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Treatment Options for Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer

Release Date: July 30, 2008
Expiration Date: July 30, 2009

Interactive Case Study Overview

Approximately 15% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor–negative (ER–)/progesterone receptor–negative (PgR–)/HER2– (“triple-negative”) breast cancers. Triple-negative status is associated with increased aggressiveness and decreased recurrence-free survival. Since these tumors are not sensitive to hormonal or HER2-targeted therapy, therapeutic options for these patients have primarily consisted of systemic chemotherapy, while searches for novel targets continue. Although some chemotherapeutic regimens have demonstrated activity in patients with triple-negative breast cancer, there is no current standard of care for those patients. The aggressiveness of this tumor subtype requires that physicians stay informed of the efficacy and safety of therapeutic options for metastatic disease, both in the first-line setting and beyond, including antiangiogenic therapy and novel microtubule-targeted agents.

The purpose of this activity is to update physicians on the utility of new treatment options for triple-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC), including antiangiogenic therapy and novel microtubule-targeted agents.

Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for medical oncologists involved in the care of patients with breast cancer. No specific skills or knowledge other than a basic training in oncology is required for successful participation in this activity.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, you should be able to:

  • Evaluate the utility of taxane and antiangiogenic agent combinations in patients with MBC
  • Assess the efficacy of cytotoxic treatment options for patients with ER–/PgR–/HER2– MBC pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes
  • Summarize the toxicity profiles associated with epothilone-based therapy in patients with breast cancer

Instructions for Participation

  1. Read the following information before beginning the educational activity.
  2. Study the educational activity.
  3. Complete the CME test.
  4. Answer the evaluation questions.
  5. After successful completion of the CME test and evaluation, you will receive your certificate of credit online.

Successful completion is determined by a score of 67% or greater.

Read all of the conditions in the Activity Terms box below. You must accept the Activity Terms in order to continue:

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Hope S. Rugo, MD
Research funding – Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Genentech, Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Pfizer Inc.; Roche Pharmaceuticals
Speaker’s Bureau – AstraZeneca; Genomic Health, Inc.

PER Editorial Staff
No relevant relationships to disclose

This CME activity might include discussion of investigational and/or unlabeled uses of drugs. If the activity includes discussion of investigational and/or unlabeled uses of a drug, specific information is located on the title page. Please refer to the full prescribing information for each drug discussed in this newsletter for FDA-approved dosing, indications, and warnings.

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Banner Illustration

Illustrator: Erin Moore

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The views and opinions expressed in this activity are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor, supporter, or publisher. Although great care has been taken in compiling and checking the information given in this activity to ensure accuracy, the authors and Physicians’ Education Resource and its servants or agents shall not be responsible or in any way liable for the continued currency of the information or for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this publication, whether arising from negligence or otherwise howsoever or for any consequences arising therefrom.

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All correspondence should be directed to:
Editor, Interactive Case Study: Treatment Options for Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
Physicians’ Education Resource
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Suite 700
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (214) 367-3456
Fax: (214) 367-3304
E-mail: editor@pergrouplp.com

Educational Grants

An educational grant for this activity was provided by:


  1. Bristol-Myers Squibb

Hope S. Rugo, MD
Clinical Professor of Medicine
Director, Breast Oncology Clinical Trials Program
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA