Abstract ES4-2: Tailoring chemotherapy

Abstract

Abstract Numerous advances have been made in the management of advanced breast cancer over the last decade. Many of these have focused on the development of targeted agents, capitalising on our increased understanding of the molecular pathways involved in breast cancer biology. Nonetheless for many patients the backbone of treatment remains cytotoxic chemotherapy, either as a sole therapy (in those with cancer phenotypes where additional targeted therapy is not indicated) or combined with targeted therapy. Whilst most of the chemotherapy agents indicated in the treatment of advanced breast cancer have been available in the clinic for many years there remain controversies and variations in practice around the use of these standard agents. This presentation will discuss the indications and factors which should be taken into account in making the choice between combinations as compared sequential single agent chemotherapy. The clinical trial evidence will be overviewed with examples from clinical practice. The continuation of chemotherapy beyond maximal response and the advantages and disadvantages of maintenance chemotherapy will then be discussed. This will lead on to a discussion of whether there is a population of patients in whom metronomic low-dose chemotherapy might be indicated. In the final part of the presentation whether choice of chemotherapy should be influenced by tumour phenotype as defined by estrogen receptor status, HER2 status and the patient's germline BRCA mutation status will be discussed. At the conclusion of this educational session it is anticipated that the attendees will have a good understanding of the evidence underlying these areas, as well as practical knowledge which will help in clinical practice. It is hoped that better understanding of the optimal use of chemotherapy will maximise the benefit of these agents for our patients: gaining longest possible control of disease with best possible quality of life. Citation Format: Ring A. Tailoring chemotherapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr ES4-2.