Xeloda may reduce recurrence of faster growing breast cancers: Study

Joyce O'Shaughnessy, M.D., medical director and co-chair of the Breast Cancer Research Committee, US Oncology Research, and medical oncologist with Texas Oncology-Baylor Sammons Cancer Center, presented her study findings today at the 33rd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), an international scientific symposium for interaction and exchange among basic scientists and clinicians in breast cancer.

Her captivating study titled "First Efficacy Results of a Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III Study of Adjuvant Doxorubicin Plus Cyclophosphamide Followed by Docetaxel with or without Capecitabine in High-Risk Early Breast Cancer" involved an innovative ten-year analysis focusing on high-risk early breast cancer. Her presentation provided an in-depth look at how faster growing breast cancers react to Xeloda® (capecitabine).

"Although the overall study results at the time of this analysis do not show that breast cancer recurrences are significantly decreased with the addition of Xeloda to standard chemotherapy, I think the study suggests that Xeloda may reduce recurrence of faster growing breast cancers," said Dr. O'Shaughnessy. "Hopefully longer follow-up will confirm these findings."

Dr. O'Shaughnessy is one of several internationally recognized investigators affiliated with US Oncology Research who participated in studies that are being presented, discussed and displayed Dec. 8-12 to a broad international audience of academic and private researchers and physicians from more than 90 countries. She and six other leading investigators participated in the following studies that have been or will be displayed as posters and poster discussions at the conference:

Stephen Jones, M.D., medical director for US Oncology Research, co-chair of the US Oncology Breast Cancer Research Committee, and physician at Texas Oncology-Dallas, participated in the TEAM (Tamoxifen Exemestane Adjuvant Multinational) study that included more than 10,000 patients over a five-year period. Study results will be presented on Saturday, Dec. 11 as the following poster discussion and two poster displays:

Many clinical studies led by US Oncology Research Network physicians were also predominantly featured at numerous conferences held around the world, including the annual congress for the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the annual meeting for the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Those studies, along with more than 30 published manuscripts, featured forward looking clinical research topics that are helping advance cancer care today and discover improved therapies for the cancer care of tomorrow. For a complete list, please contact US Oncology at 281-863-1000.