Clinical Trials for Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Definitions

Alimta
Alimta is a trademark for pemetrexed, an experimental cancer drug that works by interfering with the body's production of folic acid, a vitamin that is essential for normal cell growth but that can also help cancer grow.

Capecitabine
Capecitabine is a chemotherapy drug that interferes with the normal division and function of cancer cells.

Clodronate
Clodronate is a drug used to treat cancer that has spread to the bone.

Exemestane
Exemestane is a systemic treatment that decreases estrogen production, slowing the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors. See also, "Hormonal Therapy."

G-CSF
G-CSF, or granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, is used to stimulate the production of neutrophils, white blood cells that help prevent and fight infections. One common side effect of chemotherapy is low neutrophil counts.

Gemzar
Gemzar is a registered trademark for the drug difluorodeoxycytidine, which is used to treat pancreatic cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer and bladder cancer. It works by interfering with DNA production, which prevents cancer cells from replicating and slows or stops the growth of tumors.

Investigational
Investigational means that the drug or procedure being tested is experimental. If it is a drug, it has received government approval to be used in clinical trials, but has not been approved for treatment outside of a trial for that type of cancer. It may, however, have been approved for the treatment of a different type of cancer.

Micrometastases
Micrometastases are tiny metastases (cancer cells) that have spread from the primary tumor to other parts of the body.

MRI
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a type of scan used to look for tumors in the body. MRI uses radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer to create images. MRI is especially useful for scanning organs and soft tissues, such as the brain.

PET scan
PET, or positron emission tomography, scans are used to find cancer cells in the body. Cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, so before a PET scan you will have a small amount of radioactive glucose injected into a vein.

Port-a-cath
This is a device placed in the chest to allow ready access to a vein. It is used to avoid repeated needle sticks for patients getting chemotherapy and having frequent blood draws.

Sentinel node(s)
The first lymph node or nodes to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor. Cancer cells may appear first in the sentinel node(s) before spreading to other lymph nodes.

Sestamibi
Sestamibi is a new type of scan used to detect breast cancer cells in the breast and elsewhere in the body. Before the scan, you will have an injection of a radioactive substance called technetium 99, which is picked up by tumors, making them visible during the scan.

Temozolomide
Temozolomide is a chemotherapy drug that interferes with cells' DNA and inhibits cancer cell growth. It belongs to a group of drugs called alkylating agents.

 

August 2007