Prolonged administration of weekly paclitaxel and trastuzumab in patients with advanced breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of weekly paclitaxel and trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, with trastuzumab administered beyond disease progression.


METHODS
Twenty-six women with metastatic breast cancer, that was HER2-positive as determined by immunohistochemistry, were treated with weekly paclitaxel 70 or 90 mg/m2 and trastuzumab (4 mg/kg initial dose followed by 2 mg/kg weekly).


RESULTS
The median duration of treatment was 28 (8-72) weeks for paclitaxel and 59 (14-150) weeks for trastuzumab. Two (8%) patients experienced complete and 14 (54%) partial responses, for an overall response rate of 62%. The median time to disease progression was 11 (2.89-36) months and median survival 34+ months. Grade 3/4 adverse events were alopecia (46%), neurotoxicity (15%), leukopenia (12%) and neutropenia (12%). Infusion-related reactions were mild to moderate. No symptomatic cardiac toxicity was observed. No patient discontinued trastuzumab due to toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged administration of weekly paclitaxel and trastuzumab is effective and well-tolerated in women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
Christodoulou
C
C
Oncology Department, Henry Dynan Hospital, Athens, Greece. hecogiat@otenet.gr
Klouvas
G
G
Pateli
A
A
Mellou
S
S
Sgouros
J
J
Skarlos
D V
DV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab