Emerging drugs to replace current leaders in first-line therapy for breast cancer

Abstract

Increasing knowledge of drug resistance and side effects of currently approved agents, and of the biology of breast cancer, has given way to new treatment options that improve on previously available agents, or medications that target specific kinases and proteins associated with an oncogenic phenotype. This paper discusses new agents, including improved formulations of paclitaxel and epothilones, and molecularly targeted agents such as bevacizumab, sunitinib malate, pertuzumab, lapatinib, the mTOR inhibitors and farnesyl transferase inhibitors. Although endocrine therapy is a targeted therapy, it is not covered in this paper. These agents have increased excitement in the treatment of breast cancer and stand on the forefront of a potential improvement in quality of life and treatment options for patients afflicted with this deadly disease.

Keywords::

• adjuvant therapy
• bevacizumab
• ixabepilone
• lapatinib
• pertuzumab

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Intramural Research Programme of the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research. This is a US Government work. There are no restrictions on its use. The views expressed within this paper do not reflect those of the US Government.