Has your doctor diagnosed you or a loved one with breast cancer? Then you must have heard the word 'chemotherapy'. It is normal to feel a little scared and anxious when you hear this. But if we are properly informed about these treatments , that fear can be reduced to a great extent. So, one of the most important classes of drugs used in chemo treatments is called anthracyclines . Today, we will talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
How does this medicine actually work inside the body?
Simply put, anthracyclines are a type of antibiotic that helps kill cancer cells. But they're not like the antibiotics we take for the common cold or flu. They're produced by a type of fungus called Streptomyces, which lives in the soil.
Think of a cancer cell as a photocopying machine that makes copies without control. This machine keeps making thousands of copies of itself. This is how tumors form and grow. What anthracyclines do is they attach to the 'master copy' of DNA in that copy machine. Then they can't make new copies. That means the cancer cells' ability to divide and grow rapidly is completely stopped.
This medicine is usually given to you as an injection or as a saline solution into a vein (intravenous or IV). Your doctor will decide how much medicine to take and how long to continue the treatment based on the stage and condition of your cancer.
In most cases, when breast cancer is in its early stages, surgery is performed to remove the tumor. Then, chemotherapy is given to completely destroy any very small, invisible cancer cells that may still be left in the body. We call this "Adjuvant Chemotherapy" . This greatly reduces the chance of the cancer coming back. Anthracyclines are one of the main classes of drugs used in "Adjuvant Chemotherapy".
How effective are anthracyclines?
Numerous studies have shown that chemotherapy regimens containing anthracyclines are slightly more successful than regimens that do not contain them.
In one large study, more than 4,000 women with early-stage breast cancer , who were at high risk of recurrence, were divided into two groups and given two treatments.
1. Anthracycline group (TaxAC): These patients were given other chemotherapy drugs in addition to anthracycline drugs.
2. Anthracycline-free group (TC): These people were given a different chemotherapy drug combination that did not contain anthracycline.
After observing both groups for about 3 years, the researchers looked at how long they lived healthy without the cancer coming back. The results were as follows:
- In the anthracycline (TaxAC) group, 92.4% of the cancer did not recur.
- In the non-anthracycline (TC) group, 91.7% of the cancer did not recur.
These results show that, although the difference is not large, anthracycline-containing therapy can still slightly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
Are there any side effects of this treatment?
Yes, like any chemotherapy treatment, anthracyclines can cause side effects. But not everyone gets them, and many of them can be controlled. Your doctor will be able to advise you on these.
| Type of side effect | Possible symptoms |
|---|---|
| Mild to Moderate Side Effects | |
| Common features | Vomiting and nausea, chills and fever, diarrhea, stomach pain, body aches, fatigue. |
| Skin and nails | Skin rash, itching, nail discoloration, skin discoloration. |
| Other effects | Discoloration of urine (reddish), anorexia, sensitivity to light, cessation of menstruation, and decreased sperm count in men. |
| Blood related | Bleeding, decreased white blood cells (which increases the risk of infection), and bone marrow suppression. |
Be aware of serious side effects
The main and most serious side effect of these drugs is the risk of heart damage. When these drugs are used for a long time, there is a risk of conditions such as heart failure, which can weaken the heart muscle. Also, some anthracyclines carry a very small risk of developing another type of cancer, such as leukemia, in very rare cases.
Because of these risks, your oncologist and cardiologist will work together to monitor your heart function throughout your treatment to minimize any potential damage. So don't be afraid of this.
Are these more suitable for certain types of breast cancer?
Yes. Not all breast cancers are the same. Therefore, your doctor will choose the treatment that is best for you. This will depend on several factors:
- Stage of cancer
- Whether the cancer is sensitive to hormones (Hormone-receptor status)
- HER2 status of cancer
- Whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes
- Your age and overall health
For example, if someone is over 60, has high blood pressure, and has a history of heart disease, the doctor is more likely to recommend a treatment regimen that does not include anthracyclines.
Research has shown that people with aggressive types of cancer, such as triple-negative, and those whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes benefit most from anthracycline-containing treatments.
What happens if the cancer becomes resistant to anthracyclines?
Sometimes, over time, cancer cells can become resistant to these drugs, meaning the drugs don't work. Don't worry if this happens. If that happens, there are a number of alternative medications and treatments that your doctor can use.
Some examples are:
- Capecitabine (Xeloda)
- Eribulin (Halaven)
- Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
- Vinorelbine (Navelbine)
- Modern drugs such as antibody drug conjugates
There are also advanced treatments available, such as targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy. The most important thing is to maintain regular contact with your medical team.
Take-Home Message
- Anthracyclines are a very powerful and effective class of chemotherapy drugs used for breast cancer.
- Their main function is to affect the DNA of cancer cells, stopping them from dividing and growing.
- Like all medications, there are side effects. Especially due to the potential effects on the heart, it is imperative to receive treatment under close medical supervision.
- The decision whether or not you will be given anthracyclines will be made after considering many factors, such as the nature of your cancer and your health status.
- Never be afraid to talk openly with your doctor about your treatment, side effects, or any questions, fears, or concerns you may have. Proper awareness is the best weapon to win this battle.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න