Do we need biomarkers to predict the benefit of adding adjuvant taxanes for treatment of breast cancer?

Abstract

The current understanding of the molecular biology of breast cancer presents an extremely complex portrait of the disease. Based on this knowledge, considerable efforts are being made to identify biomarkers that will predict the response to a specific treatment while minimizing the risk of unnecessary side effects. In breast cancer, the Ki67 index has been associated with poor prognosis and might play a relevant role in predicting benefit from adjuvant docetaxel, as observed in the article accompanying this editorial. Taxanes are one of the most active cytotoxic agents for breast cancer. However, the role of taxane-based chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer remains controversial in some subsets of patients. For this reason, the Ki67 index might help to better define the group of patients who could have the optimal benefit. © 2012 BioMed Central Ltd.