PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - HIRANO, AKIRA
AU  - SHIMIZU, TADAO
AU  - WATANABE, OSAMU
AU  - KINOSHITA, JUN
AU  - KIMURA, KIYOMI
AU  - KAMIMURA, MARI
AU  - DOMOTO, KAORU
AU  - AIBA, MOTOHIKO
AU  - OGAWA, KENJI
TI  - Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide Followed by Docetaxel as Primary Systemic Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer
DP  - 2008 Nov 01
TA  - Anticancer Research
PG  - 4137--4142
VI  - 28
IP  - 6B
4099  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/28/6B/4137.short
4100  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/28/6B/4137.full
SO  - Anticancer Res2008 Nov 01; 28
AB  - Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (EC) followed by docetaxel as primary systemic chemotherapy (PST) in locally advanced breast cancer. Patients and Methods: In this phase II trial, 46 patients with locally advanced breast cancer (T>3 cm or N>1) received epirubicin (90 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) every 3 weeks for four cycles, followed by docetaxel (70 mg/m2) every 3 weeks for four cycles. Primary endpoints were pathological and objective response in the breast and axilla, and toxicities. Results: The clinical response rate was 80.4% (95% confidence interval, 68.9-91.9%). Pathological response evaluation revealed 6 complete responses (CR: 13.0%). Patients with ER-negative tumors had a significantly higher rate of pathological CR than the others (33.3% vs. 3.2%; p=0.0105). Febrile neutropenia occurred in 4 patients (8.7%). Conclusion: EC followed by docetaxel is an active and well-tolerated treatment as PST for locally advanced breast cancer. Copyright© 2008 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved