title: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with vinorelbine-containing regimens in elderly patients with locally advanced breast cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Chuan-Dong
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Can-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiao-Song
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Guang-Yu
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Gen-Hong
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Di
authors.forename: Jiong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jin-Song
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Wen-Tao
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jia-Yi
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhi-Min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Zhen-Zhou
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Kun-Wei
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D014747:Vinblastine; D004317:Doxorubicin; C027260:pirarubicin; D000077235:Vinorelbine