[Relation of dose intensity and efficacy, toxicity in paclitaxel as a single agent for advanced breast cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relation of dose intensity and efficacy, toxicity in advanced breast cancer treated with paclitaxel as a single agent.


METHODS
Seventy-one patients with advanced breast cancer received paclitaxel as a single agent with different dose intensities. According to the phase I or phase II trial, the standard dose intensity of paclitaxel was defined as 58.3 mg.(m(2))(-1).week(-1). The dose of paclitaxel was 175 mg/m(2) given every three weeks, ranging 33.3 - 70.3 mg.(m(2))(-1).week(-1) [median delivered dose intensity 58.82 mg.(m(2))(-1).week(-1)]. Efficacy and toxicity was evaluated.


RESULTS
The overall response rate in this group of advanced breast cancer was 40.8%. Responses were seen in lungs, soft tissue, bone and liver, with the response rates of 52.0%, 38.0%, 12.5%, 7.7%, respectively. When the relative dose intensity (RDI) was > 1.0, 0.9 - 1.0, < 0.9, the response rates were 44.2%, 47.6%, 0, respectively. The difference between the group (RDI >/= 0.9% - 1.0%) in 7 patients and the group (RDI < 0.9) was significant (P < 0.05). Toxicity was well tolerated, with the efficacy decreased as soon as the RDI had been reduced without embarrassing the toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Paclitaxel as a single agent therapy with standard dose intensity is effective and well tolerated by patients with advanced breast cancer.
Liu
Fang
F
Department of Breast Cancer, No.307 Hospital, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100039, China.
Jiang
Ze-Fei
ZF
Song
San-Tai
ST
Liu
Xiao-Qing
XQ
Wang
Tao
T
Yan
Min
M
Zhang
Shao-Hua
SH
Hao
Chun-Fang
CF
Sun
Jun-Zhong
JZ
Shen
Ge
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012074:Remission Induction
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel