Efficacy and toxicity of preoperative chemotherapy with docetaxel and epirubicin in locally advanced invasive breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel plus epirubicin with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support in locally advanced breast cancer patients.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated the records of 39 patients with locally advanced breast cancer. All of them received neoadjuvant epirubicin 75 mg/m(2) plus docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks with G-CSF support. Responding patients were subjected to breast-conserving or modified radical mastectomy.


RESULTS
Four (10.3%) patients achieved clinical complete response (cCR) and 25 (64.1%) clinical partial response (cPR). Pathologic complete response (pCR) was observed in 4 patients with cCR. Ten (25.6%) patients achieved stable disease (SD), while no patient had progressive disease (PD). Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was observed in 6 (15.3%) and 4 cases (10.3%), respectively. Febrile neutropenia was observed in 2 (5.1%) cases and anemia in 7 (17.9%) cases. Grade 1/2 mucositis was observed in 12 (30.7%) patients and grade 1/2 peripheral neuropathy in 7 (17.9%) patients. Dose reduction was necessary in 4 patients with grade 4 neutropenia. The median disease-free survival was 60 months (95% CI: 41-79 months). Median overall survival was not reached. Five-year overall survival was 64.2%.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of docetaxel plus epirubicin was active and tolerable in neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced breast cancer.
Kaya
A O
AO
Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Coskun
U
U
Buyukberber
S
S
Benekli
M
M
Tekin
E
E
Cifter
C
C
Ozturk
B
B
Yildiz
R
R
Yaman
E
E
Uner
A
A
Yamac
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D043823:Taxoids; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000077143:Docetaxel; D015251:Epirubicin