The National Cancer Institute reports that cancer that has spread in the body or has returned after previous treatment often responds well to chemotherapy treatment. Disease that has spread, is inoperable or has recurred may be considered advanced. Although chemotherapy for breast cancer may not offer a cure, it extends long-term survival in advanced disease. Chemotherapy works by preventing cancer cells from growing and dividing.
Anthracyclines
Anthracyclines come from a class of chemotherapy drugs designed to interfere with DNA chains and preventing a cell from dividing. The National Cancer Institute lists Adriamycin, Doxil, Epirubicin and Mitoxantrone as commonly used anthracyline drugs to treat advanced breast cancer.
Taxanes
Taxanes chemotherapy agents represent a newer class of chemotherapy. Taxanes work by interfering with microtubules in the cancer cell that are responsible for cell replication and division. The Chemotherapy Source Book reports that 30 to 40 percent of tumors previously treated with anthracyclines respond to Taxol--commonly used taxane. Other commonly used taxanes include Taxotere, and Abraxane.
Vinca Alkyloids
Vinca Alkyoids work in similar ways to taxanes in that they cause a frozen state in the microtubules making the cell unable to replicate. The National Cancer Institute lists Vinorelbine, Vinblastine, and Vincristine as commonly used vinka alkaloids to treat advanced breast cancer.
5-FU and Capecitabine
5-FU and Capecitabine are considered fluoropyrimidine medications that once metabolized by the body interrupt the making of DNA/RNA. These treatments can illicit tumor shrinkage in cancer that does not respond to anthracyclines or taxanes.
Gemcitabine
Gemcitabine is an antimetabolite that works in several ways to interfere with DNA and RNA creation and replication. This medication is typically given after other chemotherapy drugs have failed and is cited by The Chemotherapy Source Book as up to 28 percent effective in shrinking previously treated tumors.
Other Chemotherapy
Many other chemotherapy agents are used to treat advanced breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute lists Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Mitomycin C, and ixabepilone.
In addition to using one chemotherapy alone, doctors will combine these medications for maximum effect on cancer cells.
References
- "The Chemotherapy Source Book"; Michael C. Perry, PhD.; 2007.
- National Cancer Institute: Stage IIIB, Inoperable IIIC, IV, Recurrent, and Metastatic Breast Cancer
- American Cancer Society: Detailed Guide to Breast Cancer
