Breast Cancer

Anthracyclines May Not Be Necessary for HER2-positive Breast Cancer

Debate continues as to whether all patients with early human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer need an anthracycline with trastuzumab. Updated data from the Breast Cancer International Research Group (BCIRG)-006 trial suggest that eliminating the anthracycline will have comparable efficacy and be less toxic.

Adjuvant Radiation Therapy Improves Survival in Rare Breast Cancer
Radiation therapy after local surgical therapy should be considered in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast who are otherwise eligible for radiation therapy, concluded a group of researchers from the University of California-Davis.
 
New Tool Aids Estimation of Local Recurrence after Breast-conserving Surgery
Researchers have developed a tool for predicting individualized risk of local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The tool integrates 10 clinicopathologic variables to assist patients and their healthcare professionals decide among various treatment options with the goal of reducing over- and undertreatment of noninvasive breast cancer.
 
Fulvestrant Injection Approved at Higher Dose
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a higher, more efficacious dose of fulvestrant (Faslodex, AstraZeneca) injection for treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The newly approved dose of 500 mg replaces the previously approved monthly dose of 250 mg for the treatment of hormone receptor–positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following antiestrogen therapy.
 
Regular Alcohol Consumption Increases Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence, Death
Regular consumption of three to four alcoholic drinks per week increases the risk of breast cancer recurrence and death from breast cancer, a study of breast cancer survivors suggests. Postmenopausal and overweight or obese women are at greatest risk.