Adjuvant sequential dose-dense doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide (ATC) for high-risk breast cancer is feasible in the community setting.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the feasibility, when given in the community, of dose-dense, sequential ATC (doxorubicin, paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide) as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer with four or more metastatic axillary lymph nodes.


METHODS
Patients were recruited after definitive breast cancer surgery if four or more axillary nodes were involved by metastatic cancer and if distant metastases were not present on computed tomographic scan or bone scan. Forty patients received doxorubicin, 90 mg/m2 every 14 days for three cycles; paclitaxel, 250 mg/m2 every 14 days for three cycles; and cyclophosphamide, 3 g/m2 every 14 days for three cycles with filgrastim support. Chemotherapy was administered by the referring physician.


RESULTS
Mean dose intensity was 99% for doxorubicin, 96% for paclitaxel, and 99% for cyclophosphamide. Grade 3 toxicities included mucositis (13%), nausea/vomiting (10%), neuropathy (13%), and myalgia/arthralgia (10%). Thirteen patients had neutropenic fever. One patient developed acute leukemia. Three relapses have occurred. Ninety percent of patients are alive and disease-free at a median follow-up of 24 months.


CONCLUSIONS
ATC can be administered in the community at full doses with acceptable toxicity. Preliminary efficacy data suggest that this high-dose, intensively scheduled regimen warrants comparison with standard therapy for high-risk patients.
Burtness
B
B
Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8032, USA.
Windsor
S
S
Holston
B
B
DiStasio
S
S
Staugaard-Hahn
C
C
Abrantes
J
J
Kneuper-Hall
R
R
Farber
L
L
Orell
J
J
Bober-Sorcinelli
K
K
Haffty
B G
BG
Reiss
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003153:Community Health Services; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D012307:Risk Factors; D043823:Taxoids / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
D043823:Taxoids; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D017239:Paclitaxel