Patients with breast cancer that have disease progression after being treated with chemotherapy drugs, anthracyclines and taxanes, are left with limited treatment options. Researchers are always looking to find new drugs to keep the drug arsenal full for these women so they don't run out of treatment options. One chemotherapy might stop working on the cancer and it can become resistant so we need to have a plan B, C, D, E ...etc.
An article published in the British Journal of Cancer says that vinflunine provides anticancer activity among women who's cancer has recurred or progressed following prior therapy. This new chemotherapy drug is classified as a vinca alkaloid. The study showed that the anticancer response rate was 30 percent.
The positive results of this study will prompt further studies. Patients with recurrent breast cancer may wish to speak to their physician regarding their individual risks and benefits of participating in a clinic trial further evaluating vinflunine.
