http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/TheChemotherapyDrugs.html

CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS

Many of the drugs used to treat early and locally advanced breast cancer are different than those used to treat metastatic breast cancer. 

Chemotherapy drugs for early and locally advanced breast cancer

Figure 5.4 lists the most effective drugs for treating early and locally advanced breast cancer. 

Figure 5.4: Chemotherapy drugs for early and locally advanced breast cancer
Drug (abbreviation)	Brand name
Cyclophosphamide (C)	Cytoxan
Docetaxel (T)	Taxotere
Doxorubicin (A)	Adriamycin
Epirubicin (E)	Ellence
Methotrexate (M)	Maxtrex
Paclitaxel (T)	Taxol

Chemotherapy drugs can be given one at a time, or in combination.

Common drug combinations used to treat early and locally advanced breast cancer are listed below. Other combinations are also used.

Figure 5.5: Chemotherapy drug combinations for early and locally advanced breast cancer
Drug (abbreviation)	Drug combination
AC	Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide
AC—>Paclitaxel (T)	Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel
AC—> Docetaxel (T)	Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel
TAC	Docetaxel, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide
TC	Cyclophosphamide and docetaxel
CMF	Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate (Rheumatrex) and 5-fluorouracil
TCH	Docetaxel, carboplatin and trastuzumab (Herceptin)*
TH	Paclitaxel and trastuzumab*
ACTH	Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel and trastuzumab*
*Only used for HER2-positive breast cancers. TCH and TH are not used without trastuzumab.

To learn more about a specific chemotherapy drug, visit the National Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus website.

HER2-positive tumors

All breast cancers are tested for HER2 status. HER2 status helps guide treatment (learn more).

If a tumor is HER2-positive, the targeted therapy drug trastuzumab (Herceptin) is included in the chemotherapy regimen. Trastuzumab is not used to treat HER2-negative cancers.

Trastuzumab is given for one year. It is usually started with chemotherapy, and then continued after the chemotherapy has ended.

Most studies on HER2-positive breast cancers have used the AC regimen followed by a taxane drug (paclitaxel or docetaxel). Trastuzumab was added during the taxane treatment. This is the ACTH drug regimen listed in Figure 5.5.

Learn more about trastuzumab.

Chemotherapy drugs for metastatic breast cancer

Figure 5.6 lists the most common chemotherapy drugs (used alone or in combination) to treat metastatic breast cancer.

Figure 5.6: Chemotherapy drugs for metastatic breast cancer*
Drug (abbreviation)	Brand name
Capecitabine	Xeloda
Carboplatin	Paraplatin
Cisplatin	Platinol
Cyclophosphamide (C)	Cytoxan
Docetaxel (T)	Taxotere
Doxorubicin (A)	Adriamycin
Epirubicin (E)	Ellence
Eribulin	Halaven
5-Fluorouracil (5FU or F)	Adrucil
Gemcitabine	Gemzar
Ixabepilone	Ixempra
Liposomal doxorubicin	Doxil
Methotrexate (M)	Maxtrex
Paclitaxel (T)	Taxol
Paclitaxel, albumin bound	Abraxane
Vinorelbine	Navelbine

 

* This list is not exhaustive and does not include drugs that are rarely used or no longer in use.

To learn more about a specific chemotherapy drug, visit the National Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus website.

Prescription drug assistance

Chemotherapy drug costs can quickly become a financial burden for you and your family. Medicare and many insurance providers offer prescription drug plans. One may already be included in your policy or you may be able to buy an extra plan for prescriptions.

Some drugs are off-patent and a generic form may be available. Generic drugs cost less than the name brands, but are just as effective.

You may also qualify for programs that help with drug costs or offer low-cost or free prescriptions.

Learn more about insurance plans and prescription drug assistance programs.