Breast cancer develops when mutated cells within the glandular tissue of the breast begin to proliferate out of control to give rise to unlimited numbers of cancer cells. One standard course of treatment for breast cancer is chemotherapy, using toxic drugs to disrupt essential cellular processes, killing cancer cells. A number of chemotherapy drugs can effectively treat breast cancer, and these drugs may be used alone or in combination to fight breast cancer.
Doxorubicin
One option for breast cancer chemotherapy is doxorubicin, also called adriamycin. Doxorubicin works by disrupting the normal structure of the breast cancer cell's DNA, causing cell death. Normally, DNA forms a structure called a double helix, composed of two DNA strands held together by molecular forces. Doxorubucin intercalates DNA, disrupting the normal double helix structure. This change in DNA structure prevents the cancer cell from making proteins needed for cell growth and survival, so the cell ultimately dies.
Doxorubucin is commonly given as an intravenous, or IV drug. ChemoCare.com reports that doxorubicin can cause a number of side effects during chemotherapy treatment, such as fatigue, nausea, mouth sores, hair loss and low blood cell counts. These symptoms are temporary and stop after cessation of treatment.
Everolimus
Everolimus, also called Novartis, is a chemotherapy treatment for resistant, aggressive or metastatic breast cancer. Everolimus acts as an mTOR inhibitor, and prevents the activation of a cellular messenging pathway important in cancer development. MTOR is a protein found within many proliferating cells, and it plays a major role in cell growth and blood vessel development. Many cancer cells have over-activation of mTOR, so use of mTOR inhibiting drugs can help stop cancer cell growth.
CancerConsultants.com reports that everolimus proves effective in treating breast cancers that have developed resistance to other breast cancer treatments. A clinical trial for the drug found that treatment with everolimus lead to stabilization of breast cancer in patients previously treated with around five therapeutics. Like several other chemotherapy drugs, everolimus decreases blood cell counts to lead to a number of side effects.
Capecitabine
Capecitabine, also called Xeloda, is another chemotherapy option for breast cancer patients. It belongs to a class of drugs called anti-metabolites, and it works by entering the cancer cell, mimicking an essential metabolite--a chemical required for the cell's growth and survival. When capecitabine, it blocks the activation of metabolic pathways, so the cell cannot access the energy required to survive and eventually dies. MedLine Plus indicates that capecitabine effectively treats metastatic breast cancer.
Capecitabine may lead to the development of a number of side effects, including nausea, fatigue, dehydration, dry skin, constipation and stomach pain, according to MedLine Plus. The use of capecitabine in combination with blood thinning medications can prove fatal, as patients taking both medications are prone to excessive bleeding.
