title: Effects of chronic hepatitis C infection on the treatment of breast cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although hepatitis C (HCV) is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States, little information exists about treatment of breast cancer in the setting of chronic HCV.
  
  
  METHODS
  The databases of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) Tumor Registry, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, and Department of Laboratory Medicine were cross-referenced for patients with breast cancer, who were also identified as having HCV. Eligible patients had a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer, breast cancer treatment at MDACC, and a diagnosis of HCV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During chemotherapy, 25% of patients experienced elevations in aminotransferases and 44% of patients required dose reductions/delays in chemotherapy. More than 60% of the patients who received chemotherapy demonstrated a grade 2 or greater complication. However, 92% of patients were able to complete the number of cycles specified in the initial chemotherapy plan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As the majority of these breast cancer patients completed the initial chemotherapy plan, this study indicates that breast cancer patients with HCV can be treated with cytotoxic therapy. Comparison with historical controls showed similar rates of hepatic toxicity in the presence (or absence) of HCV, indicating that incidence of transaminitis may not be significantly affected by HCV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Medical Oncology. Electronic address: pmorrow@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: P K H
authors.initials: PKH
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Tarrand
authors.affiliation: Department of Tumor Registry, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Medical Oncology.
authors.forename: S-W C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kau
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Medical Oncology.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Theriault
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Medical Oncology.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Hortobagyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Texas A & M University, College Station.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Broglio
authors.affiliation: Department of General Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons