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Breast Cancer and Biological Therapy
Biological therapy uses the body's own immune system to act on breast cancer cells -- while leaving healthy cells unaffected. Theoretically, this approach minimizes side effects. Many of these treatments are still experimental. The idea is to use antibodies to attack cancer cells.
One such antibody is Herceptin, which is a monoclonal (meaning single) antibody. An antibody is a protein made by the body's own immune system. Herceptin is believed to act in three ways to stop cancer cells from growing quickly and out of control:
- It sticks to special receptors on the cancer cells, stopping them from growing.
- It signals the body's own natural killer cells to attack the cancer cells.
- It can work with chemotherapy drugs, stopping cancer cells damaged by chemo from repairing themselves.
But Herceptin can work only if the woman carries the HER2 gene in those tumor cells. About 25% of breast cancer patients carry this gene. (They are considered HER2 positive). It currently is the first-line treatment of HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer in combination with Taxol.
A second drug of this type is Tykerb. It works in HER2 positive patients in whom Herceptin no longer works. It is used in combination with Xeloda currently, but other combinations are being studied including using it with Herceptin.
Other types of antibodies that are being researched to fight cancer include:
- Angiogenesis inhibitors. These antibodies prevent the growth of new blood vessels, cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients to cancer cells. An exaple of this is Avastin. It is used as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer in conjunction with Taxol.
- Signal transduction inhibitors. These antibodies block signals inside the cancer cell that helps the cells divide, stopping the cancer from growing. They are currently being studied to see if they're effective.
Before treatment begins, print out these Questions to Ask to help you better understand your care.
Also see, Follow-Up Care After Your Treatment.
Side Effects of Biological Therapy for Breast Cancer
When biological therapy is used to treat breast cancer, side effects can include allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, swelling, nausea, fever or chills, and dizziness or weakness. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects to watch for.
Recognizing a Breast Cancer Emergency
If you have breast cancer, call your nurse or doctor if you have:
- A temperature greater than 100 F. If you experience any fever and chills, notify your doctor immediately. If you are unable to contact your doctor, go to the emergency room.
- If you notice in your mouth new sores, patches, swollen tongue, or bleeding gums.
- If you experience a dry, burning, scratchy, or "swollen" throat.
- A cough that is new or persistent and produces mucus.
- Changes in bladder function, including increased frequency or urgency to go; burning during urination; or blood in your urine.
- Changes in gastrointestinal function, including heartburn; nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea that lasts longer than two or three days; or blood in stools.
WebMD Medical Reference
Breast Cancer Guide
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a new study reveals why a high number of women with the disease still prefer to have the entire breast surgically removed instead of just the tumor. It's not always because doctors recommend it.
