title: A feasibility study evaluating docetaxel-based sequential and combination regimens in the adjuvant therapy of node-positive breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Docetaxel is an active agent in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. We evaluated the feasibility of docetaxel-based sequential and combination regimens as adjuvant therapies for patients with node-positive breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three consecutive groups of patients with node-positive breast cancer or locally-advanced disease, aged < or = 70 years, received one of the following regimens: a) sequential A-->T-->CMF: doxorubicin 75 mg/m2 q 3 weeks x 3, followed by docetaxel 100 mg/m2 q 3 weeks x 3, followed by i.v. CMF days 1 + 8 q 4 weeks x 3; b) sequential accelerated A-->T-->CMF: A and T were administered at the same doses q 2 weeks; c) combination therapy: doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 + docetaxel 75 mg/m2 q 3 weeks x 4, followed by CMF x 4. When indicated, radiotherapy was administered during or after CMF, and tamoxifen started after the end of CMF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-nine patients have been treated. Median age was 48 years. A 30% rate of early treatment discontinuation was observed in patients receiving the sequential accelerated therapy (23% during A-->T), due principally to severe skin toxicity. Median relative dose-intensity was 100% in the three treatment arms. The incidence of G3-G4 major toxicities by treated patients, was as follows: skin toxicity a: 5%; b: 27%; c: 0%; stomatitis a: 20%; b: 20%; c: 3%. The incidence of neutropenic fever was a: 30%; b: 13%; c: 48%. After a median follow-up of 18 months, no late toxicity has been reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The accelerated sequential A-->T-->CMF treatment is not feasible due to an excess of skin toxicity. The sequential non accelerated and the combination regimens are feasible and under evaluation in a phase III trial of adjuvant therapy.
authors.affiliation: Chemotherapy Unit, Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium. Angelo.Dileo@swing.be
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Leo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crown
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nogaret
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartholomeus
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dolci
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rowan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Higgins
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paesmans
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Larsimont
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Piccart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D015996:Survival Rate; D043823:Taxoids; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D017239:Paclitaxel; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate