title: The combination of epirubicin plus docetaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally-advanced breast cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University Daini Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirano
authors.forename: Tadao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imamura
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okabe
authors.forename: Kiyomi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamimura
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Domoto
authors.forename: Motohiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aiba
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogawa
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D015251:Epirubicin