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. 2009 Aug 28;11(4):208. doi: 10.1186/bcr2237

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 chemotherapiesa 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.