In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate the benefit of reducing the dosage of bisphosphonate therapy (such as Fosamax or Reclast) for women with bone metastasis (the original cancer has spread to the bones). Some background Bisphosphonate therapy is a treatment used to prevent the loss of bone mass. Women who have developed bone...
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In a nutshell The aim of this clinical trial recruiting in British Columbia and Ontario, Canada, is to determine the effectiveness of “intensity modulated radiation therapy” (IMRT) in large-breasted women lying face down (prone) compared to those lying face up (supine). The main outcome will be the rate of moist...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate the risk of fractures and overall bone health following treatment with aromatase inhibitors. Some background Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a class of drug used to treat estrogen receptor positive breast cancer (ER+; breast cancer that is dependent on the hormone estrogen for growth). Their use, however,...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether the detection of certain immune response cells in our body had any prognostic (outlook) significance. Some background T cells are an important part of our immune system. These cells are important for regulating the immune response to invading cells. The gene FOXP3 is necessary for the production...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This Phase 2/3 trial in California and Texas aims to test the effectiveness of cyroablation for the treatment of breast cancer. The main outcome measures will include biopsy (sample of tissue is removed to test for prescence of cancer) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, scan that uses magnetic fields to image body tissues). The details...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether or not there is a link between tumor budding, the environment of a tumor and prognosis (outlook) and survival from breast cancer. Some background Tumor budding refers to the 'clustering' of up to 5 cancer cells together to create a tumor 'bud'. Tumor budding is thought to be an...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety adding bevacizumab (Avastin) to a chemotherapy regimen in previously treated patients with metastatic (spread to other areas of the body) breast cancer. Some background Metastasis is the spread of cancer to other organs in the body. Patients with metastatic...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether the duration of tamoxifen (Nolvadex) treatment could significantly affect the risk of recurrent (the cancer returns) cancer. Some background Genetic mutations can often cause harmful changes in our body. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two such genes that are known as cancer susceptibility genes. Women with...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether anemia could negatively affect survival from breast cancer. Some background Anemia is described as a lack of hemoglobin; this is the iron found in our blood. Iron in the blood has several functions, including the transport of oxygen. Anemia can be commonly associated with cancer and is thought...
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Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. ~Gilda Radnor Many people with breast cancer (or a history of it) dread October. Instead of enjoying autumn’s oranges, reds and yellows, they see a flood of pink ribbons and awareness paraphernalia. Some...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effectiveness of targeted treatments and also compared combination therapies. Some background HER2 positive breast cancer is associated with the over-expression (production) of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2+). HER2+ breast cancer is known to be more aggressive with a poorer...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the value and safety of eribulin mesylate (Halaven, a chemotherapy drug) when used to treat women with recurrent (the cancer has returned) or metastatic (the cancer has spread) breast cancer. Some background Human epidermal growth factor 2 negative (HER2-, not dependent on HER2 for growth) breast...
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