High response rate with a lower dose of paclitaxel in combination with cisplatin in heavily pretreated patients with advanced breast carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Paclitaxel has been found to be efficacious in the treatment of breast carcinoma either when administered alone or in combination with other anticancer agents. Synergistic interaction between paclitaxel and cisplatin has been demonstrated in vitro.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with breast carcinoma that was resistant to anthracyclines and to several other antineoplastic agents were selected to receive 80 mg/m(2) of paclitaxel on Day 1 and 80 mg/m(2) of cisplatin on Day 2 with a 3-week interval between the courses.


RESULTS
High response rates were observed, with 3 complete responses (9.4%) and 13 partial responses (40.6%) reported. Furthermore, the disease remained stable in 7 patients (21.9%) and progressed in only 9 patients (28.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that high response rates can be achieved with the combination of paclitaxel and cisplatin, even in heavily pretreated breast carcinoma patients. The combination of paclitaxel plus cisplatin was found to be highly efficacious and well tolerated.
Maiche
A G
AG
Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Jekunen
A P
AP
Kaleva-Kerola
J
J
Blanco Sequeiros
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin