HIGH-DOSE THERAPY FOR BREAST-CANCER

The high incidence of breast cancer in young women, and the unfavorabl e prognosis for those who present with a high number of lymph nodes in volved with cancer, has encouraged the development and evaluation of n ew treatment strategies. The use of dose intensification is supported by laboratory and clinical models. In this review article, the use of dose intensification supported by hemopoietic growth factors, and also by hemopoietic stem cells, is discussed. The results of published stu dies of high-dose chemotherapy in Stage II, III, and IV breast cancer are discussed and summarized, including those randomized comparisons w ith more conventional therapy. Improvements in supportive care continu e to reduce the risks from neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and these and other toxicities are likely to decrease as side-effects are antic ipated and experience increases.