[A study of the combination of vinorelbine and epirubicin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer].
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.
Chen
Can-ming
CM
Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Shen
Kun-wei
KW
Liu
Guang-yu
GY
Wu
Jiong
J
Lu
Jin-song
JS
Zhuang
Chuan-jing
CJ
Han
Qi-xia
QX
Liu
Bang-ling
BL
Shao
Zhi-min
ZM
Shen
Zhen-zhou
ZZ
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
D015251:Epirubicin; D014747:Vinblastine; D000077235:Vinorelbine