Eleftherios P. Mamounas, MD, MPH

The biologic rationale for the initial evaluation of preoperative chemotherapy or neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early-stage breast cancer was based on experimental and clinical observations regarding primary tumor cell growth and dissemination.

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) has long been established as "standard" adjuvant therapy for receptor-positive, early-stage breast cancer. Results from clinical trials suggest that after approximately 5 years, tamoxifen may lose its

Adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to alter the natural history of resected colon cancer. Two regimens (fluorouracil [5-FU] plus leucovorin and 5-FU plus levamisole) have been found to prolong disease-free survival and overall survival in affected patients.

Adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to alter the natural history of resected colon cancer. Two regimens (5-fluorouracil [5-FU] plus calcium folinate and 5-FU plus levamisole [Ergamisol]) have been found to prolong

Adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to alter the natural history of patients with resected colon cancer. Two regimens (fluorouracil [5-FU] plus levamisole (Ergamisol) and 5-FU plus leucovorin) have been found most

Protocol B-27, conducted by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), is a phase III, randomized trial designed to evaluate whether sequencing docetaxel (Taxotere) to neoadjuvant doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) prolongs disease-free and overall survival in patients with operable breast cancer.