Phase II trial of weekly docetaxel/ gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
A phase II study evaluated weekly docetaxel/gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy for locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer in a multicenter community oncology practice setting.


METHODS
Eligible patients who had not received chemotherapy for metastatic disease received docetaxel 30 mg/m2 followed by gemcitabine 800 mg/m2, each administered weekly for 3 weeks (days 1, 8, and 15), followed by a 1-week rest period (28-day cycle). Patients also received oral dexamethasone to reduce the incidence/severity of fluid retention and hypersensitivity reactions. Of the 46 enrolled patients, 45 were treated as part of the intent-to-treat (ITT) population and were evaluable for safety.


RESULTS
There were 3 complete responses and 12 partial responses among the 39 evaluable patients, for an objective response rate (ORR) of 39% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24%-54%). The ORR in the ITT population was 33% (95% CI, 18%-48%). Median time to response was 3.4 months, with a median response duration of 6.7 months. Median survival was 15.8 months, and median time to progression was 5.8 months. The most common grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity was neutropenia (13.3%); there was a low incidence of other grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities. Grade 3 fatigue (15.6%) was the most common grade 3/4 nonhematologic toxicity, and grade 2 alopecia occurred in 47% of patients. One patient who had been receiving chronic corticosteroid therapy died from treatment-related neutropenia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
These phase II results suggest that weekly docetaxel/gemcitabine is moderately active and well tolerated as first-line therapy for locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. No clear advantage for combined weekly docetaxel/gemcitabine was observed compared with published results on the efficacy of docetaxel and gemcitabine given as single agents.
O'Shaughnessy
Joyce A
JA
US Oncology, Dallas, TX 75246, USA. joyce.o'shaughnessy@usoncology.com
Pluenneke
Robert
R
Sternberg
Jack
J
Khandelwal
Pankaj
P
Ilegbodu
Des
D
Asmar
Lina
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine