Abstract
Background: The combination of anthracyclines and docetaxel have demonstrated a significant activity in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) as first-line chemotherapy. In a previous multicenter phase I study, we recommended two schedules of epirubicin-docetaxel combination for MBC: 1) epirubicin 75 mg/m2, docetaxel 80 mg/m2 every 3 weeks without G-CSF; 2) epirubicin 90 mg/m2 plus docetaxel 90 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, with G-CSF support. Patients and Methods: Twenty-five advanced breast cancer patients were treated with epirubicin 90 mg/m2 plus docetaxel 90 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, with prophylactic G-CSF. Results: The main toxicity was grade 3-4 neutropenia (41% of cycles) despite the use of G-CSF; febrile neutropenia was observed in 14% of cycles necessitating a dose reduction of both drugs in 30% of patients. Response was observed in 79% of patients: 21% complete responses and 58% partial responses. The median response duration was 10 months (range: 3-16). The median time to progression was 11 months. The overall 3-year survival was 49.7%. Conclusion: The antitumor activity observed in this series was comparable with that seen in other studies of taxane/anthracycline combinations. The degree of myelosuppression was severe, even though G-CSF was administered as a prophylactic. We recommend a lower dose of both drugs as reported by other authors.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1963-1967 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Anticancer Research |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 3 B |
| Publication status | Published - May 2004 |
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Keywords
- Docetaxel
- Epirubicin
- Epirubicin dose
- Metastatic breast cancer
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cancer Research
- Oncology
Cite this
Epirubicin plus docetaxel in metastatic breast cancer : Escalating dose does not improve efficacy. A phase II study. / Fabi, Alessandra; Papaldo, Paola; Pino, Maria Simona; Ferretti, Gianluigi; Carlini, Paolo; Pacetti, Umberto; Di Cosimo, Serena; Nardoni, Chiara; Giannarelli, Diana; Sacchi, Italo; Cognetti, Francesco.
In: Anticancer Research, Vol. 24, No. 3 B, 05.2004, p. 1963-1967.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Epirubicin plus docetaxel in metastatic breast cancer
T2 - Escalating dose does not improve efficacy. A phase II study
AU - Fabi, Alessandra
AU - Papaldo, Paola
AU - Pino, Maria Simona
AU - Ferretti, Gianluigi
AU - Carlini, Paolo
AU - Pacetti, Umberto
AU - Di Cosimo, Serena
AU - Nardoni, Chiara
AU - Giannarelli, Diana
AU - Sacchi, Italo
AU - Cognetti, Francesco
PY - 2004/5
Y1 - 2004/5
N2 - Background: The combination of anthracyclines and docetaxel have demonstrated a significant activity in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) as first-line chemotherapy. In a previous multicenter phase I study, we recommended two schedules of epirubicin-docetaxel combination for MBC: 1) epirubicin 75 mg/m2, docetaxel 80 mg/m2 every 3 weeks without G-CSF; 2) epirubicin 90 mg/m2 plus docetaxel 90 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, with G-CSF support. Patients and Methods: Twenty-five advanced breast cancer patients were treated with epirubicin 90 mg/m2 plus docetaxel 90 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, with prophylactic G-CSF. Results: The main toxicity was grade 3-4 neutropenia (41% of cycles) despite the use of G-CSF; febrile neutropenia was observed in 14% of cycles necessitating a dose reduction of both drugs in 30% of patients. Response was observed in 79% of patients: 21% complete responses and 58% partial responses. The median response duration was 10 months (range: 3-16). The median time to progression was 11 months. The overall 3-year survival was 49.7%. Conclusion: The antitumor activity observed in this series was comparable with that seen in other studies of taxane/anthracycline combinations. The degree of myelosuppression was severe, even though G-CSF was administered as a prophylactic. We recommend a lower dose of both drugs as reported by other authors.
AB - Background: The combination of anthracyclines and docetaxel have demonstrated a significant activity in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) as first-line chemotherapy. In a previous multicenter phase I study, we recommended two schedules of epirubicin-docetaxel combination for MBC: 1) epirubicin 75 mg/m2, docetaxel 80 mg/m2 every 3 weeks without G-CSF; 2) epirubicin 90 mg/m2 plus docetaxel 90 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, with G-CSF support. Patients and Methods: Twenty-five advanced breast cancer patients were treated with epirubicin 90 mg/m2 plus docetaxel 90 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, with prophylactic G-CSF. Results: The main toxicity was grade 3-4 neutropenia (41% of cycles) despite the use of G-CSF; febrile neutropenia was observed in 14% of cycles necessitating a dose reduction of both drugs in 30% of patients. Response was observed in 79% of patients: 21% complete responses and 58% partial responses. The median response duration was 10 months (range: 3-16). The median time to progression was 11 months. The overall 3-year survival was 49.7%. Conclusion: The antitumor activity observed in this series was comparable with that seen in other studies of taxane/anthracycline combinations. The degree of myelosuppression was severe, even though G-CSF was administered as a prophylactic. We recommend a lower dose of both drugs as reported by other authors.
KW - Docetaxel
KW - Epirubicin
KW - Epirubicin dose
KW - Metastatic breast cancer
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M3 - Article
C2 - 15274385
AN - SCOPUS:3242686275
VL - 24
SP - 1963
EP - 1967
JO - Anticancer Research
JF - Anticancer Research
SN - 0250-7005
IS - 3 B
ER -