Recent advances in systemic therapy. When HER2 is not the target: advances in the treatment of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer

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 chemotherapies^a	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.

ISSN: 1465-542X