Immunotherapy + Chemotherapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Posted Apr 27 2010 7:05am
Triple negative breast cancer remains one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer and makes up about 10-20% of all breast cancers. One of the biggest problems with triple negative breast cancer is that targeted therapies are basically not available. Triple negative breast cancer is treated with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Fortunately, triple negative breast cancer has been reported to respond well to these treatments. Nonetheless, the need for targeted therapies for this form of breast cancer are desperately needed. A new study presented at the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research ( Abstract #3852 ) reported on some early research on the benefits of combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy for triple negative breast cancer.
In their study, researchers first developed a new mouse model of triple negative breast cancer in which they could test this new combination therapy. Researchers implanted breast cancer cells into the mice and either did not treat them or treated them with either (1) bevacizumab (an antibody that inhibits blood vessel growth in tumors), (2) nab-paclitaxel (a chemotherapy drug), or (3) nab-paclitaxel + bevacizumab. Mice were examined for tumor growth and metastasis. The results of the study showed that
nab-paclitaxel + bevacizumab combined therapy suppressed tumor growth by 100%
Combination therapy reduced lymph node involvement by 50%
This combination therapy reduced lung metastasis by 87%
50% of the mice receiving nab-paclitaxel + bevacizumab showed complete regression of primary tumors and metastases.
These are phenomenol results that suggest possible future targeted therapies for triple negative breast cancers. These early pre-clinical results are very positive for this particular combination therapy, though further testing, particularly in clinical trials, needs to be done. In addition to the benefits observed for this combination therapy, this study provides a new pre-clinical model in which new therapies can be tested. This might accelerate the development of new therapies for triple negative breast cancers.
Don't forget that even though science continues to make great strides in breast cancer research, there are many things we can do to reduce our personal breast cancer risk. Read my book Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer at www.fightBCnow.com to learn more.
In their study, researchers first developed a new mouse model of triple negative breast cancer in which they could test this new combination therapy. Researchers implanted breast cancer cells into the mice and either did not treat them or treated them with either (1) bevacizumab (an antibody that inhibits blood vessel growth in tumors), (2) nab-paclitaxel (a chemotherapy drug), or (3) nab-paclitaxel + bevacizumab. Mice were examined for tumor growth and metastasis. The results of the study showed that
- nab-paclitaxel + bevacizumab combined therapy suppressed tumor growth by 100%
- Combination therapy reduced lymph node involvement by 50%
- This combination therapy reduced lung metastasis by 87%
- 50% of the mice receiving nab-paclitaxel + bevacizumab showed complete regression of primary tumors and metastases.
These are phenomenol results that suggest possible future targeted therapies for triple negative breast cancers. These early pre-clinical results are very positive for this particular combination therapy, though further testing, particularly in clinical trials, needs to be done. In addition to the benefits observed for this combination therapy, this study provides a new pre-clinical model in which new therapies can be tested. This might accelerate the development of new therapies for triple negative breast cancers.Don't forget that even though science continues to make great strides in breast cancer research, there are many things we can do to reduce our personal breast cancer risk. Read my book Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer at www.fightBCnow.com to learn more.