Metronomic chemotherapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer: Review of effectiveness and potential use during pandemics. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fares, Johny E.; El Tomb, Paul; Khalil, Lana E.; Atwani, Rula W.; Moukadem, Hiba A.; Awada, Ahmad; El Saghir, Nagi S.
• Is Part Of: Cancer treatment reviews. Volume 89(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Metronomic chemotherapy -- Metastatic breast cancer -- Anti-angiogenic effect -- T- Regulatory cells -- Cytotoxic effect -- Cytostatic effect -- COVID-19; Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- therapy -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Cancer -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Cancer -- Treatment; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.99406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-7372

Abstract

Highlights: Metronomic chemotherapy (M-CT) for metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) patients is dose dense administration of chemotherapy at lower doses than maximum tolerated dose, given at shorter free intervals, with proven effectiveness and lesser toxicity. M-CT has multiple mechanisms of action in cancer cells including apoptosis, senescence, non-apoptotic cell death, immunogenic cell death, and antiangiogenic effects. In view of its low toxicity, convenience of treatment at home, easiness of monitoring and follow-up via telemedicine, M-CT could be considered for treatment of MBC during COVID-19 pandemic. Abstract: Metronomic chemotherapy (M-CT) is defined as dose dense administration of chemotherapy at lower doses than maximum tolerated dose but at shorter free intervals, to obtain a near continuous exposure of cancer cells to those potentially effective drugs. M-CT is a useful strategy to obtain response, overcome resistance and reduce side effects, with low costs. This review will focus on the use of M-CT in advanced breast cancer (ABC). Cytostatic and cytotoxic effect on cancer cells, the anti-angiogenic and the immunomodulatory effects are its main mechanisms of actions. Many clinical trials proved the efficacy and tolerability of different monotherapies and combinations of chemotherapeutic agents administered in metronomic doses and frequencies in ABC. M-CT is a reasonable option for second and later lines of chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer including those with prior anthracycline or taxane exposure, older patients and patients with comorbidities, and even as first-line in certain groups of patients. The acceptable efficacy and low toxicity of oral metronomic chemotherapy makes it a reasonable option during COVID-19 pandemic as well as in the post-COVID era which is projected to last for some time.