The role of anthracyclines and dose dense therapy in an adjuvant setting, in HER2-positive early breast cancer, in clinical practice

Anthracyclines are antitumor antibiotics that are widely used in the treatment of breast cancer. A meta-analysis of previous randomised studies suggests a special role of anthracyclines in the adjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. In this group, anthracycline-based regimens have largely replaced CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil) schedule. More recently, regimens including anthracyclines with taxanes in combination with an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab have found wide application in HER2-positive patients with higher risk of recurrence. A major contraindication to the use of anthracyclines is an increased risk of cardiac complications. In this article we present the current role of anthracyclines in adjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.