Point: combination versus single-agent chemotherapy: the argument for sequential single agents

J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2007 Sep;5(8):668-72. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2007.0068.

Abstract

Metastatic breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and treatment decisions depend on several individualized patient and tumor characteristics. Although combination therapy often shows improved response rates in metastatic breast cancer, few studies have shown superiority in overall survival. The choice of combination versus sequential single-agent treatment, therefore, must consider many factors, with no one strategy right for all patients. This article reviews several important clinical trials that address this issue, and argues for single-agent sequential therapy for most patients with metastatic breast cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents