Table 1

Preferred chemotherapy and endocrine agents and regimens for HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer

Type of therapy
Type of regimen/class of agent
Agents

Cytotoxic chemotherapiesa
Single agents
Anthracyclines: doxorubicin (A), epirubicin (E), pegylated liposomal doxorubicin
Taxanes: paclitaxel (T), docetaxel (T), nab-paclitaxel
Fluoropyrimidines: capecitabine
Others: vinorelbine, gemcitabine (G)

Combination chemotherapy
Anthracycline based: CAF/FAC, FEC, AC, EC
Taxane-based: T/cisplatin, TG, T/carboplatin, T/capecitabine
Anthracycline/taxane: AT
Other: CMF

Combinations with targeted or specific anti-VEGF agents
Bevacizumab + paclitaxel
Endocrine therapies
Aromatase inhibitors
Steroidal (type I): exemestane
Nonsteroidal (type II): anastrozole, letrozole

SERMs (anti-oestrogens)
Tamoxifen Toremifene

SERD
Fulvestrant

Progestin
Megestrol acetate

Androgen
Fluoxymesterone

High-dose oestrogen
Ethinylestradiol

Adapted from Beslija and coworkers [1] and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network [2]. aAdditional active agents are as follows: oral etoposide, vinblastine, 5-fluorouracil (F) continuous infusion, ixabepilone, and ixabepilone plus capecitabine. AC, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide; CMF, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil; EC, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide; FAC/CAF, 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide; FEC, 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide; HER2, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; SERD, selective oestrogen receptor downregulator; SERM, selective oestrogen receptor modulator; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.

Miles Breast Cancer Research 2009 11:208   doi:10.1186/bcr2237