LA CHEMIOTERAPIA METRONOMICA NELLE PAZIENTI ANZIANE CON CARCINOMA MAMMARIO AVANZATO: È L'INIZIO DI UNA NUOVA ERA?
M. E. Cazzaniga, F. Riva
Vol.2 (2017), issue 1, pag. 13-19
| Received | 20/04/2017 |
| Accepted for pubblication | 02/05/2017 |
| Published | Apr. 2017 |
| Review by | Single-blind |
ABSTRACT
This paper summarizes the main results of metronomic chemotherapy
(mCHT) in elderly breast cancer patients; mCHT refers to the frequent, regular administration of drug doses designed to maintain a low, but active, range of concentrations of chemotherapeutic drugs during prolonged periods of time without inducing excessive toxicities. Major mechanism of action, rather than a direct effect on the tumor volume, are inhibition of angiogenesis and stimulation of innate immune response. These mechanisms are the basis of the results obtained by different trials, reporting percentages of Objective Response Rate of approximately 33% and Clinical Benefit Rate of 50-70%.
The easy schedule of metronomic chemotherapy, together with the very low incidence of severe events, similar in all the trials reported, all are valuable elements to be considered in the choice of elderly patients’ treatment.