Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 27, Issue 5 325-330, Copyright © 1997 by Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research
S Takashima, T Saeki, I Adachi, T Watanabe, Y Sasaki, H Murai, T Tabei, M Ogita, M Sano, K Kanda and M Shimoyama
To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of high-dose epirubicin (EPI) plus
cyclophosphamide (CPA) therapy, a phase II study of EPI, 130 mg/m2, plus
CPA, 1000 mg/m2, with G-CSF every 3 weeks was carried out for 51 advanced
or recurrent breast cancer patients by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group
(JCOG). Fifty out of the 51 patients who were eligible for our criteria
were treated with this regimen as first-line chemotherapy for visceral
metastases or hormone-independent tumors. In this trial, 203 cycles were
administered with an average of four cycles per patients. In 50 patients
who were evaluable for response, there were 7 complete (CR) and 25 partial
responses (PR) with an overall response rate of 64% (95% confidence
interval, 50.1-75.9%). Symptomatic and hematological acute toxicity more
than grade 3 occurred frequently; however, no treatment-related death
occurred. The incidence of toxicities (> or = grade 3) was as follows:
leukopenia 98%, thrombocytopenia 42%, nausea/vomiting 56% and hair loss
12%. In each cycle, daily administration of 2 micrograms/kg G-CSF
(granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) was given on days 2-15
subcutaneously. The incidence of cardiotoxicity was low. Arrhythmia (<
or = grade 2) was observed in 8% and a slight decrease of ejection fraction
index (< or = grade 2) was observed in 2% in this trial. The median
follow-up period for patients was 37.2 (24.6-51.5) months and the median
survival period was 17.4 months. These data indicate that high-dose EPI +
CPA combination chemotherapy was effective and well tolerated for breast
cancer patients with visceral metastases or hormone-independent tumors. A
randomized trial of high-dose EPI vs conventional chemotherapy is required
to ascertain the usefulness of this regimen.
CASE REPORTS
A phase II study of high-dose epirubicin (EPI) plus cyclophosphamide (CPA) with G-CSF for breast cancer patients with visceral metastases or hormone-independent tumors: a trial of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group
Department of Clinical Research and Surgery, National Shikoku Cancer Center Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan.
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