Retrospective comparison of two consecutive cohorts of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens of cyclophosphamide with either docetaxel or paclitaxel in older patients with early breast cancer

Breast J. 2019 Jul;25(4):663-666. doi: 10.1111/tbj.13306. Epub 2019 May 9.

Abstract

Adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel/cyclophosphamide (TC) is adopted worldwide as a valuable option for elderly patients with high-risk early breast cancer. Some studies suggest that paclitaxel may have a better therapeutic ratio than docetaxel. Therefore we have implemented an adjuvant chemotherapy in which docetaxel was replaced by paclitaxel. We report here the retrospective analysis of that cohort and make a safety comparison with an earlier TC cohort in the same target population. This retrospective analysis demonstrates the feasibility of paclitaxel/cyclophosphamide as an alternative, better tolerated adjuvant regimen for elderly patients. Further evaluation and assessment of noninferiority to TC is warranted.

Keywords: breast cancer; chemotherapy; elderly.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Docetaxel / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Docetaxel
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Paclitaxel