Gemcitabine combined with paclitaxel or paclitaxel/trastuzumab in metastatic breast cancer.
The combination of gemcitabine and paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer is attractive because of the good single-agent activity of each, the different mechanisms of antitumor effect, and the, generally, nonoverlapping toxicity profiles of the agents. Phase II trials of the combination indicate response rates of 45% to 55% and median survival of 12 months in extensively pretreated patients, including those with anthracycline-resistant disease, and a response rate of 69% in patients with newly recurrent metastatic breast cancer. The combination was well tolerated, with severe hematologic toxicity being infrequent. The combination of gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer with no prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting produced a response rate of 71% and median response duration of 11 months. The combination was safe and well tolerated, with no unexpected toxicities being observed. Both combinations warrant additional study in metastatic breast cancer.
Sledge
George W
GW
Department of Medicine and Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine