Trastuzumab and docetaxel for metastatic breast cancer: an experience from a cancer centre in India.
OBJECTIVE
To study the toxicity profile and effectiveness of combination of trastuzumab and docetaxel in women with metastatic breast cancer showing HER-2 overexpression (IHC 3+).


METHODS
Sixteen women with metastatic breast cancer were treated with trastuzumab (2 mg/kg every week) and docetaxel (100 mg/m2) as first-line therapy. A loading dose of 4 mg/kg trastuzumab was given on week 1. We planned to give a minimum of six cycles of docetaxel chemotherapy.


RESULTS
A total of 89 cycles of docetaxel chemotherapy was given (median five cycles per patient). Median number of cycles of trastuzumab was 44 with a range of 20-71. Of the 16 patients, seven (44%) had complete response (CR), whereas five patients (31%) had partial response (PR). The overall response rate (CR+PR) was 75%. Two patients died of progressive disease, and the other two died at home, for which the cause of death could not be known. No anaphylaxis, cardio-toxicity or febrile neutropenia was observed in any patient. Overall, the toxicity was within tolerable limits.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of trastuzumab and docetaxel in women with metastatic breast cancer showing HER-2 overexpression (IHC 3+) is a safe and effective regimen. However, further randomised trials are needed to establish its role in metastatic breast cancer.
Julka
P K
PK
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. pkjulka18@hotmail.com
Sharma
D N
DN
Mukhopadhyay
P
P
Rath
G K
GK
D000328:Adult; 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*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000077143:Docetaxel; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D043823:Taxoids; D000068878:Trastuzumab