title: [A study of the combination of vinorelbine and epirubicin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine (N) and epirubicin (E) as the neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 2001 to December 2004, 158 patients with LABC were treated with NE chemotherapy before operation. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy containing vinorelbine (N), 25 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 8) and epirubicin (E), 60 mg/m(2) (days 1) was administered every 3 weeks for three cycles before local treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response in the breast: the clinical objective response was 81.6% [23.4% (37/158) cCR and 58.2% (92/158) PR], 16.5% (26/158) SD and 1.9% (3/158) PD. Pathological complete response was found in 29 cases (18.3%). Eighteen cases (26.5%) who have positive FNA result in the axillary lymphnode before chemotherapy showed negative result in the surgery specimen. The most common toxicities were neutropenia, alopecia and nausea/vomiting. Neutropenia grade 3 - 4 was reported in 111 patients (70.3%) and there was no toxic deaths.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of vinorelbine and epirubicin is a very active and well-tolerated regimen as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the LABC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
authors.forename: Can-ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kun-wei
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Guang-yu
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jiong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jin-song
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Chuan-jing
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Qi-xia
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Bang-ling
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhi-min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Zhen-zhou
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077235:Vinorelbine
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D014747:Vinblastine; D000077235:Vinorelbine