Is epirubicin effective in first-line chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) after an epirubicin-containing adjuvant treatment? A single centre phase III trial.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the superiority of docetaxel and epirubicin vs docetaxel alone as first-line therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients pretreated with adjuvant or neoadjuvant epirubicin. We compared single agent docetaxel 100 mg m-2 (D) with the combination of docetaxel 80 mg m-2 and epirubicin 75 mg m-2 (ED). The response rate (72 vs 79%), the progression-free survival (median 9 vs 11 months) and the overall survival (median 18 vs 21 months) were not significantly different between the ED (n=26) and D arms (n=25), respectively. Leucopaenia, nausea and stomatitis were significantly worse with ED. In conclusion, epirubicin should not be administered in combination with taxanes in metastatic breast cancer patients relapsed after an anthracycline-based adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy.

• Authors: C Pacilio, A Morabito, F Nuzzo, A Gravina, V Labonia, G Landi, E Rossi, E De Maio, M Di Maio, G D'Aiuto, G Botti, N Normanno, P Chiodini, C Gallo, F Perrone, A de Matteis, NCI-Naples Breast Cancer Group
• Journal: British journal of cancer (Br J Cancer) Vol. 94 Issue 9 Pg. 1233-6 (May 08 2006) ISSN: 0007-0920 [Print] England
• PMID: 16622454 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase III, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
• Taxoids
• Docetaxel
• Epirubicin

Topics

• Adult
• Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Breast Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Docetaxel
• Epirubicin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (drug therapy)
• Survival Analysis
• Taxoids (administration & dosage)