Synthetic Drug Called Effective Against Advanced Breast Cancer

Taxotere, a synthetic form of the cancer drug taxol, is the first drug to outperform Adriamycin in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, according to Dr. Stephen Chan of the Nottingham Breast Clinic in England. Adriamycin, also known as doxorubicin, has been the most effective single agent for treatment of advanced breast cancer.

Chan reported at the American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting in Denver that 161 patients who received Taxotere had a 50% better response rate than the 165 who received Adriamycin. Among patients taking Taxotere, 39.1% had a 50% or greater reduction in tumor size and 13 had a complete remission.