Exemestane and chemotherapy as first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer: results of a phase II study.

Background: Metastatic breast cancer remains largely incurable. Strategies involving the combination of the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen and chemotherapy have been abandoned in view of unacceptable toxicity because of thromboembolic events. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the third-generation steroidal aromatase inhibitor exemestane plus chemotherapy.

Randomized phase III trial of ixabepilone plus capecitabine versus capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with an anthracycline and a taxane.

Purpose: We sought to determine whether the combination of ixabepilone plus capecitabine improved overall survival (OS) compared with capecitabine alone in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with anthracyclines and taxanes.

Patients And Methods: A total of 1,221 patients with MBC previously treated with anthracycline and taxanes were randomly assigned to ixabepilone (40 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1) plus capecitabine (2,000 mg/m(2) orally on days 1 through 14) or capecitabine alone (2,500 mg/m(2) on the same schedule) given every 21 days. The trial was powered to detect a 20% reduction in the hazard ratio (HR) for death.

International recommendations for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism associated with cancer.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication and a leading cause of death in oncological patients. Recent guidelines have been established for the treatment and prevention of VTE in oncological patients in various clinical situations. These guidelines recommend: (a) prophylactic anticoagulation in all hospitalized oncological patients in whom there are no contraindications; (b) prophylactic anticoagulation in patients scheduled for major oncological surgery in whom there are no contraindications; (c) prolonged (>or=6 months) anticoagulant therapy in oncological patients with manifest VTE in order to prevent a new episode; (d) no routine prophylactic anticoagulation in ambulatory patients without VTE receiving chemotherapy, except when they are receiving treatment with anti-cancer agents with a high risk of thrombogenicity, such as thalidomide- or lenalidomide-based chemotherapeutic regimens; and (e) no use of prophylactic anticoagulants to improve survival in patients with cancer without manifest VTE.

Phase II study of neoadjuvant treatment with doxorubicin, docetaxel, and capecitabine (ATX) in locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer.

Background: Pathologic complete response (pCR) after preoperative systemic chemotherapy (PSCh) is associated with better outcome in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).

Patients And Methods: PSCh included: doxorubicin (A) 50 mg/m(2) i.v.

[Fulvestrant in heavily pretreated postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer].

Background And Objective: Fulvestrant (Flv) is a pure antiestrogen without agonist activity. Flv is effective as second line treatment in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer after tamoxifen.

Material And Method: We performed a retrospective study of 36 consecutive postmenopausal women treated with Flv and advanced breast cancer progressing on prior therapies.

Diagnosis and medical treatment of breast cancer. Cordoba Consensus of 2007.

Many important studies have changed the perspective from which breast cancer is approached, and they may change what have to date been the standards applicable to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. In 2007, just over 200 oncologists from all over Spain met in Cordoba in order to review the latest evidence related to breast cancer and reach a consensus on the most important aspects of its diagnosis and treatment in different clinical situations: neoadjuvance, adjuvance and advanced disease. In view of these important changes, opinions on some specific aspects may be varied and all are justified.

[Effectivity of thalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma: a retrospective study of 36 consecutive cases].

Background And Objective: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasm-cell neoplasm characterized by a monoclonal protein in the serum or urine. Thalidomide is effective as second line treatment.

Patients And Method: We performed a retrospective study of 36 consecutive patients with refractory MM treated with thalidomide and dexamethasone as second line therapy, with the objective of analyzing the rate of response (primary end point), progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity profiles (second end points).