Feasibility of radiotherapy after high-dose dense chemotherapy with epirubicin, preceded by dexrazoxane, and paclitaxel for patients with high-risk Stage II-III breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To verify the feasibility of, and quantify the risk of, pneumonitis from locoregional radiotherapy (RT) after high-dose dense chemotherapy with epirubicin and paclitaxel with peripheral blood progenitor cell support in patients with high-risk Stage II-III breast cancer.


METHODS
Treatment consisted of a mobilizing course of epirubicin 150 mg/m2, preceded by dexrazoxane (Day 1), paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 (Day 2), and filgrastim; followed by three courses of epirubicin 150 mg/m2, preceded by dexrazoxane (Day 1), paclitaxel 400 mg/m2 (Day 2), and peripheral blood progenitor cell support and filgrastim, every 16-19 days. After chemotherapy, patients were treated with locoregional RT, which included the whole breast or the chest wall, axilla, and supraclavicular area.


RESULTS
Overall, 64 of 69 patients were evaluable. The interval between the end of chemotherapy and the initiation of RT was at least 1.5-2 months (mean 2). No treatment-related death was reported. After a median follow-up of 27 months from RT (range 5-77 months), neither clinically relevant radiation pneumonitis nor congestive heart failure had been reported. Minor and transitory lung and cardiac toxicities were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Sequential high doses of epirubicin, preceded by dexrazoxane, and paclitaxel did not adversely affect the tolerability of locoregional RT in breast cancer patients. The risk of pneumonitis was not affected by the use of sequential paclitaxel with an interval of at least 1.5-2 months between the end of chemotherapy and the initiation of RT. Long-term follow-up is needed to define the risk of cardiotoxicity in these patients.
De Giorgi
Ugo
U
Istituto Oncologico Romagnolo, Department of Medical Oncology, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy. ugo_degiorgi@yahoo.com
Giannini
Massimo
M
Frassineti
Luca
L
Kopf
Barbara
B
Palazzi
Silvia
S
Giovannini
Noemi
N
Zumaglini
Federica
F
Rosti
Giovanni
G
Emiliani
Ermanno
E
Marangolo
Maurizio
M