Last reviewed 2026-04-23 · How we verify

Standard adjuvant chemotherapy

Standard adjuvant chemotherapy involves administering a combination of drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent their return.

Standard adjuvant chemotherapy involves administering a combination of drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent their return. Used for Breast cancer, stage II or III, Colorectal cancer, stage III.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

This treatment typically includes a mix of chemotherapy agents that target rapidly dividing cells, such as alkylating agents, anthracyclines, and taxanes. The goal is to eliminate any remaining cancer cells after surgery and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Approved indications

• Breast cancer, stage II or III
• Colorectal cancer, stage III

Common side effects

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Anemia
• Neutropenia

Key clinical trials

• Neoadjuvant Regorafenib in Combination With Nivolumab and Short-course Radiotherapy in Stage II-III Rectal Cancer (PHASE2)
• HER2 Directed Dendritic Cell Vaccine During Neoadjuvant Therapy of HER2+Breast Cancer (EARLY_PHASE1)
• Regenerative Collagen Scaffold for Breast Volume Restoration After Breast Cancer Excision (NA)
• Testing MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Therapy for Triple Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer (PHASE3)
• Tamoxifen Citrate, Letrozole, Anastrozole, or Exemestane With or Without Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Invasive RxPONDER Breast Cancer (PHASE3)
• TACE or Ablation Combined With Sintilimab and Ipilimumab N01 as Neoadjuvant Therapy for Resectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Intermediate-High Recurrence Risk (PHASE2)
• A Study of IMU-201 (PD1-Vaxx), a B-Cell Immunotherapy, in Adults With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (PHASE1)
• Optimising Adjuvant Chemotherapy Prescription in Young Patients With Hormone-dependent Breast Cancer Using Genomic Tests (PHASE3)

Primary sources

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