Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in breast cancer

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer was originally used in locally advanced inoperable disease in order to achieve surgical resection. It was then extended to operable breast cancer with a view to downstaging tumors to facilitate breast-conserving surgery. Long-term results from randomized studies have shown no difference in disease-free or overall survival between neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. The main benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is its ability to downstage large tumors with a view to treatment by breast-conserving surgery. Since pathological complete response is thought to be main factor to achieve long-term survival, development of new agent or novel combination treatment is needed.