title: Infusional fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cisplatin followed by weekly paclitaxel plus bevacizumab in locally advanced breast cancer with unfavorable prognostic features.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and biological activities of bevacizumab in combination with preoperative anthracyclines and taxane-based chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer selected for unfavorable prognostic features. Patients with cT2-4c, cN0-2, estrogen and progesterone receptors less than 10% of the cells or cT4d and any estrogen/progesterone receptors expression received four courses of ECF-chemotherapy (epirubicin, cisplatin, fluorouracil as continuous infusion) followed by three courses of weekly paclitaxel in combination with bevacizumab. Thirty patients were included in the study. An objective response, either complete or partial, was observed in 26 patients (87%; 95% confidence interval: 69-96%), stable disease was observed in two patients (7%), and two patients (7%) progressed. A pathological complete response was obtained in 10 patients (33%; 95% confidence interval: 17-53%). Side effects related to bevacizumab with grade >or=2 included headache and hypertension. A nonstatistical significant decrease in the median value of circulating endothelial cells was observed at surgery (3.0/microl vs. 5.7/microl, P=0.19). In conclusion, high rates of both clinical and pathological responses with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy followed by weekly paclitaxel plus bevacizumab were observed in locally advanced breast cancer with unfavorable prognostic features. A non-negligible rate of progressive disease was observed, suggesting careful monitoring of the patients. Further studies evaluating the potential benefit of bevacizumab in neoadjuvant treatment need to be tested.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit of Medical Senology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. alessandra.balduzzi@ieo.it
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balduzzi
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montagna
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bagnardi
authors.forename: Rosalba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torrisi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bertolini
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mancuso
authors.forename: Eloise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scarano
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Viale
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Veronesi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cardillo
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: Aron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldhirsch
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colleoni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077289:Letrozole; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011379:Prognosis; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000139:chemically induced; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D015251:Epirubicin; D000077289:Letrozole; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil