title: Activity of combination chemotherapy, docetaxel and epirubicin as neoadjuvant therapy for women with breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study assesses the efficacy of epirubicin and docetaxel as neoadjuvant therapy for women with breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a single institution, single arm, phase II study of epirubicin given at 75 mg/m(2) and docetaxel at 75 mg/m(2) every three weeks for four cycles prior to surgical excision in women with large breast cancers. Pegfilgrastim was routinely administered as primary prophylaxis against febrile neutropenia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 18 patients enrolled on the study, 12 (66.7%) had a clinical response and 13 (72.2%) had a pathologic response, with a pathologic complete response of 5.6%. Pre-menopausal women and patients with estrogen receptor positive tumors had a higher response rate. One patient died due to sepsis and febrile neutropenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination chemotherapy with epirubicin and docetaxel is highly active against breast cancer. With close monitoring for toxicity, this combination can be safely administered with mild side-effects.
authors.affiliation: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 920 SL Young WP 2080, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
authors.forename: Arafat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tfayli
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holter
authors.forename: Abby
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bova
authors.forename: Siddhartha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venkatappa
authors.forename: Susie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bullock
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dooley
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; 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