Sequential taxane and anthracycline-containing neoadjuvant regimens: the sequential order impact.
BACKGROUND
One can consider as a standard neoadjuvant treatment for breast cancer, the sequence of 4 cycles of anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel. Based on the belief that the sequence order between anthracycline and taxane might be of interest, this study assessed the impact of the sequence order.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty three patients with breast cancer were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 5 oncologic centers between 2003 and 2007. This study compared 65 patients treated with 4 cycles of docetaxel followed by 4 cycles of anthracycline-based chemotherapy (cohort T), versus another cohort of 58 patients treated with 4 cycles of anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel (cohort A).


RESULTS
The overall dose intensity of docetaxel and clinical complete responses were significantly higher in cohort T. No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of conservative surgeries or histological responses. The sequence of chemotherapy did not significantly influence other treatment-related toxicities. Mild neurotoxicity was higher in patients treated in cohort T. Anemias (≥Grade 1) were higher in cohort A (52% versus 81%; p = 0.0008).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study failed to identify an impact of the sequence of taxane administration on the efficacy. Nevertheless, starting neoadjuvant chemotherapy by taxane reduces the occurrence of anemia. These findings might allow a selection of the sequence order based on the toxicity profile.
Thiery-Vuillemin
A
A
Medical Oncology, University Hospital Jean Minjoz, Boulevard Flemming, Besancon, France. a.thieryvuillemin@mac.com
Llombart-Cussac
A
A
Chaigneau
L
L
Villanueva
C
C
Bazan
F
F
Montcuquet
P
P
Maisonnette-Escot
Y
Y
Sautiere
J L
JL
Algros
M P
MP
Pivot
X
X
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D015251:Epirubicin; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil