Impact of tumor biological factors on response to pre-operative epirubicin and paclitaxel chemotherapy in primary breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to determine the predictive impact of several established tumor biological factors (progesterone receptor, estrogene receptor, HER2/neu, and Ki-67) on response to pre-operative combination chemotherapy with epirubicin and paclitaxel in a representative group of primary breast cancer patients.


METHODS
Thirty-eight primary breast cancer patients (metastasis-negative) received pre-operative chemotherapy with epirubicin and paclitaxel. The response characteristics analyzed included pathological complete response and partial remission determined by 3D ultrasound, as well as down-staging and breast conserving surgery.


RESULTS
Pathologically complete response occurred in six patients. Overexpression of HER2/neu, low (negative) hormone receptors and high Ki-67 were all significant positive predictive factors for response to pre-operative chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
HER2/neu overexpression is predictive for response not only to trastuzumab, but also to epirubicin and paclitaxel.
Warm
Mathias
M
Department of Senology, University of Cologne, Germany. mathias.warm@uk-koeln.de
Kates
Ronald
R
Mallmann
Peter
P
Dick
Michèlle
M
Nawroth
Frank
F
Harbeck
Nadia
N
Paepke
Stefan
S
Thomas
Anke
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015251:Epirubicin; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D017239:Paclitaxel; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone