title: A phase II study of primary dose-dense sequential doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide and docetaxel in cT4 breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dose-dense chemotherapy with anthracyclines and taxanes has improved either disease free survival or overall survival in high risk patients with early breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The activity and safety of a dose-dense schedule (q14 days) of adriamycin 60 mg/sqm and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/sqm (AC) x 4 cycles followed by docetaxel 75 mg/sqm for 4 cycles with hematopoietic support in patients with stage IIIB breast cancer was explored. Patients with ER > or =10% tumors received concomitant endocrine therapy with 3-month triptorelin and letrozole.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients with histologically proven cT4b (three patients) and cT4d (twelve patients) M0 breast cancer were enrolled. Median age was 48 years (range 25-66). Eight clinical responses including one pathological complete remission (pCR), three stable disease (including minor responses) and four progression of disease, one during AC and three during taxotere, were observed. Four patients had grade 3-4 non hematological toxicities and all except one discontinued treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the high rate of progressive disease, this schedule should not represent a standard option in cT4 breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Medical Senology Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy. rosalba.torrisi@ieo.it
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torrisi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghisini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Veronesi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Intra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balduzzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cardillo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldhirsch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colleoni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide