Objectives: To identify which patients might be the best candidates to receive combination targeted therapies for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Data sources: Published research articles, abstracts, and clinical experience.
Conclusion: Factors including tumor size, age, HER2 positivity, and hormone receptor content help determine the optimal approach toward the treatment of breast cancer in the individual patient. Further research will clarify the role of targeted agents in the adjuvant setting, along with the hope of a cure.
Implications for nursing practice: The oncology nurse must be aware of current and emerging therapies - whether they be intravenously or orally administered - and the proper methods to help characterize patients who might likely benefit from these agents.