Evaluating eribulin versus other treatment options in women with advanced breast cancer.

This study compared the safety and effectiveness between eribulin (Halaven) and non-eribulin-based chemotherapy regimens in patients with advanced breast cancer (BC). The data showed that eribulin significantly improved survival outcomes with manageable side effects in these patients.

Advanced BC has spread from the original site into neighboring tissue, lymph nodes, and/or distant organs of the body. There are limited treatment options for these patients. Chemotherapy is usually used in patients with advanced BC to kill cancer cells.

Taxanes are a type of chemotherapy often used in the treatment of BC. However, some patients become resistant and stop responding to taxane treatment. Therefore, alternative therapies must be used. Eribulin is a chemotherapy drug recommended for use in patients with advanced BC and MBC. However, the safety and effectiveness of eribulin versus non-eribulin-based chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of patients with advanced BC are not clear.

This study analyzed 13 studies and involved a total of 15,073 patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 3612 patients who received eribulin-based treatment. Group 2 included 11,461 patients who received non-eribulin-based treatment. 

Patients who received eribulin-based treatment were 23% more likely to have a better survival compared to those who received non-eribulin-based treatment. Patients who received eribulin-based treatment as third/later line therapy were 14% more likely to have a better survival compared to those who received non-eribulin-based treatment.

A low number of white blood cells was 68% more common in eribulin-treated patients. Nerve damage was similarly common in both groups. 

This study concluded that eribulin significantly improved survival outcomes with manageable side effects compared to non-eribulin-based regimens for the treatment of patients with advanced BC.

Also, the study did not directly compare eribulin to other chemotherapies and also did not evaluated the combination of eribulin with other therapies. More studies are needed.