title: A pilot study to investigate the feasibility and cardiac effects of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PL-DOX) as adjuvant therapy in medically fit elderly breast cancer patients.
abstract: In this pilot study, we examined the feasibility and toxicity in 16 elderly women age > or =65 receiving six cycles of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PL-DOX) cyclophosphamide as adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. An extensive cardiologic assessment was also performed including echocardiographic Doppler-based strain rate imaging (SRI), a promising new sensitive technique to assess cardiac function. All but one patient finished the six planned cycles without major dose reductions or delay, and with limited serious toxicity showing the feasibility of this regimen. Significant decreases in radial strain and strain rate were found after six cycles of treatment while left ventricle ejection fraction remained unchanged. SRI may be a useful tool in the follow-up of elderly patients treated with anthracyclines, allowing early initiation of preventive measures in order to prevent further irreversible cardiac damage.
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Breast Centre, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Belgium. hans.wildiers@uzleuven.be
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wildiers
authors.forename: Ruxandra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jurcut
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ganame
authors.forename: Lieven
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Herbots
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neven
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Backer
authors.forename: Hannelore
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Denys
authors.forename: Veronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cocquyt
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rademakers
authors.forename: Jens-Uwe
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Voigt
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paridaens
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: C506643:liposomal doxorubicin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide