The role of anthracyclines in the treatment of advanced breast cancer — the place of nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin

Abstract

Despite of introducing to the therapy of breast cancer many new cytotoxic and molecularly targeted agents anthracyclines still have strong position in treatment of this type of cancer, both adjuvant treatment and treatment of metastatic disease. The most important side effect that limits the use of anthracyclines is cardiotoxicity. To avoid this the special liposomal form of doxorubicin was introduced to the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The aim of doxorubicin molecule’s modification was to increase activity of drug in cancer cells and to limit non-specific organ toxicity, especially to decrease toxic effect on myocardium. Liposomal doxorubicin is effective in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and has low cardiac risk. Combined treatment with liposomal doxorubicin and molecularly targeted therapies has been investigated in recent years.
Onkol. Prak. Klin. 2010; supl. A: A8–A17