Studies suggest high-dose therapy for breast cancer has no advantage

Abstract

The eagerly awaited results of 4 large-scale trials of high-dose chemotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer were discussed at a plenary session at the 35th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology [ Atlanta, US; May 1999 ]. The results had been released, somewhat controversially, one month prior to the conference to curb circulation of inaccurate information. ^* Results from 3 of the 4 trials do not support a benefit of high-dose chemotherapy, while the remaining trial noted significant benefits. All 4 trials were designed and analysed differently, making any comparisons or a meta-analysis difficult.