Case Based - Overview
Clinical Considerations Regarding the First-line Treatment of a Patient With HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Release Date: January 25, 2010
Expiration Date: January 25, 2011
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, you should be able to:
- Discuss the clinical considerations regarding the use of combination or sequential single-agent chemotherapy for patients with MBC
- Evaluate the efficacy of combination chemotherapy regimens as first-line therapy for MBC
- Assess the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy in combination with cytotoxic agents as first-line therapy for MBC
Overview and Purpose
Although current systemic therapies for breast cancer, such as endocrine therapy and cytotoxic agents, have demonstrated considerable efficacy in the adjuvant setting, many patients will eventually experience disease recurrence with systemic spread. Because therapy in the metastatic setting focuses on prolongation of life and symptom palliation rather than cure, careful attention to prior therapies and to patient and tumor characteristics is necessary to determine the best therapeutic strategy. The decision to use combination chemotherapy, sequential single-agent chemotherapy, or a combination of targeted and cytotoxic agents is complex, and the risks and benefits must be carefully weighed to maintain quality of life. Several combination chemotherapy regimens, including combinations of antimetabolites with taxanes, have demonstrated substantial activity in the first-line setting. Many of these combination regimens have demonstrated activity in patients who received prior anthracycline-based therapy, with some yielding an overall survival advantage. The combination of antiangiogenic therapy with any of several cytotoxic agents as first-line therapy has significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with HER2– metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
The purpose of this activity is to update physicians on clinical considerations regarding and the latest clinical data on first-line therapeutic options for HER2– MBC.
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.
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