Feasibility of AC/EC Followed by Weekly Paclitaxel in Node-positive Breast Cancer in Japan

• Published in: Anticancer research 2009-05, Vol.29 (5), p.1515-1520
• Main Authors: ISHIKAWA, Takashi, SHIMIZU, Satoru, OHTA, Ikuko, MATSUMOTO, Chizuru, SHIMIZU, Daisuke, KITO, Ayako, SUDA, Takashi, INABA, Masaaki, ASAGA, Taro, MOMIYAMA, Nobuyoshi, ICHIKAWA, Yasushi, YOSHIMOTO, Masataka, KATAYAMA, Kiyofumi, MORITA, Satoshi, SHIMADA, Hiroshi, CHISHIMA, Takashi, HAMAGUCHI, Yohei, DOI, Takako, TANABE, Mikiko, KASAHARA, Akio, YAMAGUCHI, Naotaka, NARUI, Kazutaka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cyclophosphamide - administration & dosage; Doxorubicin - administration & dosage; Drug Administration Schedule; Epirubicin - administration & dosage; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Japan; Lymphatic Metastasis; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Paclitaxel - administration & dosage; Tumors
• ISSN: 0250-7005; 1791-7530

The feasibility and efficacy of adriamycin or epirubicin in combination with cyclophosphamide followed by weekly paclitaxel (AC/EC-weekly PAC) as adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer was investigated. Patients and Methods: Node-positive breast cancer was treated with AC/ EC-weekly PAC, namely AC at 60/600 mg/m 2 or EC at 90/600 mg/m 2 ×4 at three-week intervals, followed by weekly PAC (80 mg/m 2 ) ×12, namely four cycles of single weekly administration for three weeks followed by a one-week rest (3×4 PAC) or single weekly administration for 12 consecutive weeks (12 PAC). Results: One hundred and three of 109 consecutive patients enrolled were analyzed, of whom 96 (93.2%) completed the regimen. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 52.4% receiving AC/EC, and 10.9% of 55 receiving 12 PAC but only 2.1% of 48 receiving 3×4 PAC. Neuropathy disorders occurred in more than half receiving PAC, which did not improve after one-week rest in 3×4 PAC. Conclusion: AC/EC-weekly PAC is feasible and without serious complications.