Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with vinorelbine-containing regimens in elderly patients with locally advanced breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with vinorelbine-containing regimens in elderly patient with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).


METHODS
From 2002 to 2006, 14 female elderly patients with LABC underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy with vinorelbine-containing regimens. Vinorelbine alone or in combination with pirarubicin/epirubicin was administered every 3 weeks (25 mg/m2, i.v., day 1 and day 8). All 14 patients received 2-6 cycles of chemotherapy.


RESULTS
The median age was 68.5 years (range 65 to 78 years). Six patients had stage IIIA breast tumor, 7 stage IIIB and 1 stage IIIC. There was 1 complete response and 10 partial responses, with an overall response rate of 78.57%, and stable disease in 3 patients (21.43%); there were no patients with progressive disease before surgery. After a median follow-up of 35 months, the estimated 3-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 57% and 69%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the current study showed that vinorelbine-containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy was effective and well-tolerated in elderly patients with LABC.
Ma
Chuan-Dong
CD
Department of Breast Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
Chen
Can-Ming
CM
Chen
Xiao-Song
XS
Liu
Guang-Yu
GY
Di
Gen-Hong
GH
Wu
Jiong
J
Lu
Jin-Song
JS
Yang
Wen-Tao
WT
Chen
Jia-Yi
JY
Shao
Zhi-Min
ZM
Shen
Zhen-Zhou
ZZ
Shen
Kun-Wei
KW
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077235:Vinorelbine
D015251:Epirubicin; D014747:Vinblastine; D004317:Doxorubicin; C027260:pirarubicin; D000077235:Vinorelbine