The combination of epirubicin plus docetaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally-advanced breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of epirubicin plus docetaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer.


METHODS
In this single-center, phase II trial, twenty-one patients with locally advanced breast cancer (T>3 cm or N>1) received epirubicin (70 mg/m2) and docetaxel (60 mg/m2) on Day 1 of each cycle for up to 6 cycles.


RESULTS
Clinically complete responses (CR) were observed in 5 patients and partial responses were observed in 14 patients. The clinical response rate was 90.5% (95% confidence interval, 78.0-99.9). Eleven patients (52.4%) underwent breast conserving surgery. Pathological response evaluation revealed 2 CR (9.5%). Grade 4 neutropenia was recorded in 81.0% of the patients and febrile neutropenia occurred in 1 patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of epirubicin plus docetaxel was an active and well-tolerated treatment for locally-advanced breast cancer.
Hirano
Akira
A
Department of Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University Daini Hospital, Japan.
Shimizu
Tadao
T
Imamura
Hiroshi
H
Watanabe
Osamu
O
Kinoshita
Jun
J
Okabe
Toshihiro
T
Kimura
Kiyomi
K
Kamimura
Mari
M
Domoto
Kaoru
K
Aiba
Motohiko
M
Ogawa
Kenji
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D000077143:Docetaxel; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D015251:Epirubicin