title: Novel association with gemcitabine and docetaxel as salvage chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines: results of a multicenter phase II study.
abstract: The goals of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the gemcitabine/docetaxel combination in metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines. Fifty-three patients with metastatic breast cancer who had failed or relapsed after anthracycline-based chemotherapy entered the study and were evaluable. Patients received gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2) days 1 and 8) and docetaxel (80 mg/m(2) day 8), every 3 weeks. The regimen was generally well tolerated with good feasibility. A complete response occurred in six patients (9.4%) and partial response in 23 (43.4%) for an overall response rate of 53% (95% confidence interval, 38.9% to 66.7%). Median survival rate was 70%; and the duration of response, time to progression, and overall survival were 6, 7.5, and 16.5 months, respectively. We conclude that the gemcitabine/docetaxel combination constitutes a manageable and tolerable combination as salvage chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer and may represent a valid treatment option in patients previously treated with anthracyclines.
authors.affiliation: Medical and Experimental Oncology Department, Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brandi
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vici
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Maria Rosaria
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Valerio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giotta
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gebbia
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schittulli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colucci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D018943:Anthracyclines; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine