title: Feasibility of AC/EC followed by weekly paclitaxel in node-positive breast cancer in Japan.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Kiyofumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chishima
authors.forename: Yohei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hamaguchi
authors.forename: Takako
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.forename: Mikiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasahara
authors.forename: Naotaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Kazutaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Narui
authors.forename: Ikuko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.forename: Chizuru
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Ayako
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kito
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suda
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inaba
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Asaga
authors.forename: Nobuyoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Momiyama
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Masataka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshimoto
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimada
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D017239:Paclitaxel