Abraxane
Appears More Effective than Paclitaxel in Metastatic Breast
Cancer
According to results presented at the 2003 San Antonio Breast
Cancer Conference, a new form of paclitaxel, Abraxane? (ABI-007)
appears to nearly double anti-cancer response rates and significantly
improve the duration of time to cancer progression compared
to paclitaxel (Taxol ®) in patients with metastatic breast
cancer.
Metastatic breast cancer refers to cancer that has spread
from the breast to distant sites in the body, often invading
vital organs. Treatment for metastatic breast cancer is aimed
at improving the duration of survival and/or quality of life
for patients, but often not with the intent to cure. Paclitaxel
is one of the most commonly used chemotherapy agents in the
treatment of breast cancer. The formulation of paclitaxel
includes agents so that proper storage and administration
is possible. However, these agents are responsible for the
development of many side effects associated with paclitaxel.
Researchers tried to improve upon the outcomes achieved with
paclitaxel by creating a new form of the drug. Abraxane? is
a form of paclitaxel that is bound with albumin, a type of
protein normally found in the human body. It was thought that
this form of paclitaxel will increase the capability of the
drug to get into cancer cells and reduce the occurrences of
side effects, compared to paclitaxel. Abraxane? is not yet
approved by the FDA but has completed the last phase of trials
prior to FDA review.
A multi-institutional clinical trial was recently conducted
directly comparing Abraxane? to paclitaxel in the treatment
of metastatic breast cancer. This trial included over 250
patients; approximately half of whom were treated with Abraxane?
and the other half with paclitaxel. Overall anti-cancer rates
were achieved in 24% of patients treated with Abraxane?, compared
with only 11% of patients treated with paclitaxel. The time
to cancer progression was 21 weeks for patients treated with
Abraxane?, compared to only 15.4 weeks for those treated with
paclitaxel. Severe (grade IV) low white blood cell levels
(neutropenia) occurred in 7% of patients treated with Abraxane?,
compared with 19% of patients treated with paclitaxel. However,
loss or reduction of sensation in the fingers and toes occurred
in 10% of patients treated with Abraxane?, and 2% of patients
treated with paclitaxel.
The researchers concluded that Abraxane? appears superior
to paclitaxel in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer,
as anti-cancer responses and time to cancer progression were
improved with Abraxane?. In addition, Abraxane? reduced the
incidence of neutropenia compared to paclitaxel. Patients
with metastatic breast cancer may wish to speak with their
physician about the risks and benefits of participating in
a clinical trial further evaluating Abraxane? or other novel
therapeutic approaches. Two sources of information regarding
ongoing clinical trials include the National Cancer Institute
( cancer.gov) and www.cancerconsultants.com. Personalized
clinical trial searches are also performed on behalf of cancerconsultants.com.
Reference: O'shaughnessy J, Tjulandin S, Davidson N, et al.
ABI-007 (Abraxane?), a nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab) paclitaxel
demonstrates superior efficacy vs. Taxol in MBC: a phase III
trial. Proceedings from the 26th annual San Antonio Breast
Cancer Symposium. December 2003. Abstract #44.
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