Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, toxicity and safety of an new domestic docetaxel in the treatment of pretreated advanced breast cancer.
Methods: Fourty-four breast cancer patients who had failed in first-line chemotherapy were included in this trial. They received docetaxel as the second-line chemotherapy. Docetaxel was administered alone at a dose of 70 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to prevent granulocytopenia was not permitted. The response rate and toxicity were evaluated by World Health Organization toxicity scale and performance status by Karnofsky scale.
Results: Of the 41 evaluable patients, 4 achieved complete response and 14 partial remission, with a response rate and clinical benefit rate of 43.9% and 85.4%, respectively. Grade 3 or grade 4 neutropenia developed in 42.9%, alopecia in 7.1% and vomiting in 4.8% of these patients. Fluid retention was not observed in this series.
Conclusion: Three-week administration of docetaxel alone at a dose of 70 mg/m2 is effective and tolerable. It provides an alternative for the pretreated advanced breast cancer patients.