Current Management Strategies in Breast Cancer by Targeting Key Altered Molecular Players

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second largest disease affecting women worldwide. It remains the most frequently reported and leading cause of death among women in both developed and developing countries. Tamoxifen and raloxifene are commonly used selective estrogen receptor modulators for treatment of breast cancer in women with high risk, although resistance occurs by tamoxifen after 5 years of therapy and both drugs cause uterine cancer and thromboembolic events. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are one of the optional modes used for breast cancer treatment. The combination of AIs along with tamoxifen can also be beneficial. Various therapeutic agents from different sources are being studied, which further need to be improved for potential outcome. For this, clinical trials based on large number of patients with optimal dose and lesser side effects have to be more in practice. Despite the clinical trials going on, there is need of better molecular models, which can identify high risk population, new agents with better benefit having less side effects, and improved biomarkers for treating breast cancer.

Keywords: aromatase inhibitors; biomarker; breast cancer; chemoprevention; epidermal growth factor receptor; estrogen receptor.

Figure 1

Figure showing various therapeutic options for breast cancer management. Adjuvant therapy is given after surgery or main treatment and may include radiation or chemical therapy. Neoadjuvant therapy is given before main treatment. Other therapeutics is in experimental phase.