%0 Journal Article %A PATRIZIA VICI %A PAOLO FOGGI %A GIUSEPPE COLUCCI %A ELISABETTA CAPOMOLLA %A MARIO BRANDI %A FRANCESCO GIOTTA %A NICOLA GEBBIA %A LUIGI DI LAURO %A MARIA ROSARIA VALERIO %A GIANCARLO PAOLETTI %A FRANCA BELLI %A CARMINE PIZZA %A DIANA GIANNARELLI %A MASSIMO LOPEZ %T Sequential Docetaxel Followed by Epirubicin-Vinorelbine as First-line Chemotherapy in Advanced Breast Cancer %D 2005 %J Anticancer Research %P 1309-1314 %V 25 %N 2B %X Background: This phase II study evaluated the efficacy and the tolerability of a sequential regimen of docetaxel followed by epirubicin-vinorelbine combination as first-line chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer. Patients and Methods: Twenty-seven patients received docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (4 cycles) followed by 4 cycles of epirubicin 90 mg/m2 (day 1) combined with vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 (days 1 and 5), with cycles repeated every 3 weeks. G-CSF was administered during epirubicin-vinorelbine treatment. Results: There were 1 (3.7%) CR and 14 (51.9%) PR, for an overall response rate of 55.6% (95% CI, 36.9%-74.3%). Median time to response, time to progression and overall survival were 2, 9 and 25 months, respectively. The dose-limiting toxicity was neutropenia (grade 3 to 4 in 85% of the patients). There was one toxic death due to neutropenic fever. Gastrointestinal side-effects were generally mild. According to the Simon two-stage design the response rate was considered unsatisfactory and patient accrual was terminated. Conclusion: This sequential regimen appears to be moderately effective; possibly, a modulation of the treatment based on objective responses instead of a fixed number of cycles may be more appropriate in order to obtain better results. Copyright© 2005 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved %U https://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/anticanres/25/2B/1309.full.pdf