Molecular therapy of breast cancer

by Marc Lacroix

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer and a second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. Despite their proven efficacy, classical therapies are, however, unable to cure metastatic breast cancer and are often associated with significant toxicity and side-effects, due to a wide spectrum of action. During the last years, our increasing knowledge of the molecular pathways underlying cancer development has led to the introduction of new drugs, of which most are directed towards very specific targets. Rather than to be used as single agents, these “modern” compounds could ultimately be combined with classical molecules. Here are described nearly 150 drugs that are currently used in routine therapy or are in clinical trials in breast cancer patients. From the classical tamoxifen, fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, epirubin, docetaxel, paclitaxel…, to the more recently introduced ixabepilone, lapatinib, vorinostat, everolimus, bevacizumab…,