• The use of autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) for metastatic and even high-risk early-stage
  breast cancer is currently under study. This is riskier than the usual treatment with chemotherapy . Because the
  patient's own stem cells or marrow is used, the risk is not related to the grafting problems seen in allogeneic
  bone marrow transplants where marrow comes from another donor ( see Bone Marrow Transplantation ).
  Rather, it relates to the fact that blood counts become very low for many weeks, during which time there is a
  high risk of bleeding and/or infection. A small percentage of patients (less than 10 percent) will not survive
  treatment with ABMT. Clinical studies are trying to determine if ABMT offers an increased chance of
  long-term disease control, especially important when considering the expense and risk for breast cancer 
  patients. 
      Current studies are trying to determine the curative advantage of ABMT as an adjuvant
  therapy for patients with 10 or more involved lymph nodes . In one study, 80 percent of such patients were
  free of evidence of disease three years after treatment, but their overall survival was identical to that of matched
  patients in an identical study. Until randomized comparative trials are carried out, the role of ABMT will not
  be clarified.
• Another technique to combat the life-threatening problem of low blood counts (with possible serious
  infections) associated with chemotherapy is to give colony-stimulating factors such as G-CSF. These stimulate
  the rapid production of blood cells and minimize the period of white blood cell depression ( see Biological
  Therapy ). It is too soon to know if the use of these agents will be translated into improved survival.
• To attempt to prevent breast cancer in women at high risk, an investigational trial of tamoxifen is being
  conducted by the National Cancer Institute .