title: Bevacizumab plus docetaxel and cisplatin for metastatic breast cancer: a pilot phase II study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that prevents angiogenesis by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activity. Clinically, it has been used to treat a diverse range of cancer types. In this pilot phase II study, we investigated the efficacy and safety profiles of bevacizumab in combination with docetaxel plus cisplatin for patients with advanced HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2005 and 2008, 20 patients with advanced breast cancer were recruited from the Taipei Medical University Hospital. Bevacizumab was administered every two weeks in a 12-cycle treatment with docetaxel plus cisplatin. The primary end-point for this study was the overall response rate. The secondary end-points were progression-free survival and the safety profiles of the combined therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average number of treatment cycles was 10.5 with a response rate of 80%. Neutropenia and neuropathy were the most commonly observed adverse events. Seven patients achieved complete remission and nine patients achieved partial remission. For the overall patient group in this study, the median time-to-progression and overall survival were 28.0 weeks and 52 weeks, respectively. The median time-to-progression and overall survival for the 10 patients that completed all 12 cycles of treatment were 64.0 weeks and 80 weeks, respectively. In one patient, a very rapid reduction in the level of breast cancer lung metastases was observed one week post-treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this pilot study, bevacizumab in combination with docetaxel and cisplatin is likely to be an effective treatment option for metastatic breast cancer that warrants further study.
authors.affiliation: Superintendent, Superintendent Office, Taipei Medical University Shuang-Ho Hospital, No.291, Jhongjheng Rd, Jhonghe City, Taipei County 235, Taiwan, ROC. cjtai@tmu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Cheng-Jeng
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.forename: Ching-Shyang
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chin-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Li-Jen
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Po-Li
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Jeng-Feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Chiou
authors.forename: Chung-Huei
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Hung-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chiou
authors.forename: Chih-Hsiung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002945:Cisplatin