Feasibility of AC/EC followed by weekly paclitaxel in node-positive breast cancer in Japan.
The feasibility and efficacy of adriamycin or epirubicin in combination with cyclophosphamide followed by weekly paclitaxel (AC/EC-weekly PAC) as adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer was investigated.


METHODS
Node-positive breast cancer was treated with AC/ EC-weekly PAC, namely AC at 60/600 mg/m(2) or EC at 90/600 mg/m(2) x4 at three-week intervals, followed by weekly PAC (80 mg/m(2)) x 12, namely four cycles of single weekly administration for three weeks followed by a one-week rest (3 x 4 PAC) or single weekly administration for 12 consecutive weeks (12 PAC).


RESULTS
One hundred and three of 109 consecutive patients enrolled were analyzed, of whom 96 (93.2%) completed the regimen. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 52.4% receiving AC/EC, and 10.9% of 55 receiving 12 PAC but only 2.1% of 48 receiving 3 x 4 PAC. Neuropathy disorders occurred in more than half receiving PAC, which did not improve after one-week rest in 3 x 4 PAC.


CONCLUSIONS
AC/EC-weekly PAC is feasible and without serious complications.
Ishikawa
Takashi
T
Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57, Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama 232-0024, Japan. tishik@urahp.yokohama-cu.ac.jp
Shimizu
Satoru
S
Katayama
Kiyofumi
K
Chishima
Takashi
T
Hamaguchi
Yohei
Y
Doi
Takako
T
Tanabe
Mikiko
M
Kasahara
Akio
A
Yamaguchi
Naotaka
N
Narui
Kazutaka
K
Ohta
Ikuko
I
Matsumoto
Chizuru
C
Shimizu
Daisuke
D
Kito
Ayako
A
Suda
Takashi
T
Inaba
Masaaki
M
Asaga
Taro
T
Momiyama
Nobuyoshi
N
Ichikawa
Yasushi
Y
Yoshimoto
Masataka
M
Morita
Satoshi
S
Shimada
Hiroshi
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage
D015251:Epirubicin; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D017239:Paclitaxel