Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and pathologic response: a retrospective cohort

Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2013 Dec;11(4):446-50. doi: 10.1590/s1679-45082013000400007.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the complete pathologic response attained by patients diagnosed with locally advanced breast cancer submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on the doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide regimen followed by paclitaxel.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients with locally advanced breast cancer, admitted to the Hospital de Câncer de Barretos between 2006 and 2008 submitted to the doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide protocol followed by paclitaxel (4 cycles of doxorubicin 60mg/m² and cyclophosphamide 600mg/m² every 21 days; 4 cycles of paclitaxel 175mg/m² every 21 days). The following variables were assessed: age, menopause, performance status, initial clinical staging, anthropometric data, chemotherapy (dose - duration), toxicity profile, post-treatment staging, surgery, pathologic complete response rate, disease-free survival, and pathological characteristics (type and histological degree, hormonal profile and lymph node involvement). Statistical analysis was performed using a 5% level of significance.

Results: Of the 434 patients evaluated, 136 were excluded due to error in staging or because they had received another type of chemotherapy. Median age was 50 years, all with performance status 0-1. Median initial clinical size of tumor was 65mm and the median final clinical size of the tumor was 22mm. Fifty-one (17.1%) patients experienced a pathologic complete response. Those with a negative hormonal profile or who were triple-negative (negative Her-2 and hormonal profile) experienced a favorable impact on the pathologic complete response.

Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel provided a pathologic complete response in the population studied in accordance with that observed in the literature. Triple-negative patients had a greater chance of attaining this response.

Objetivo:: Avaliar a taxa de resposta patológica completa atingida pelas pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer de mama localmente avançado submetidas à quimioterapia neoadjuvante baseada no esquema doxorrubicina/ciclofosfamida seguido de paclitaxel.

Métodos:: Coorte retrospectiva de pacientes admitidas no Hospital de Câncer de Barretos com câncer de mama localmente avançado entre 2006 e 2008 submetidas ao protocolo de doxorrubicina/ ciclofosfamida seguido de paclitaxel (4 ciclos de doxorrubicina 60mg/m2 e ciclofosfamida 600mg/m2 a cada 21 dias; 4 ciclos de paclitaxel 175mg/m2 a cada 21 dias). As seguintes variáveis foram avaliadas: idade, menopausa, performance status, estadiamento clínico inicial, dados antropométricos, quimioterapia (dose – duração), perfil de toxicidade, estadiamento clínico pós-tratamento, cirurgia, resposta patológica completa, sobrevida livre de doença e características anatomopatológicas (tipo e grau histológico, perfil hormonal e comprometimento linfonodal). A análise estatística foi realizada considerando-se o nível de significância de 5%.

Resultados:: Das 434 pacientes avaliadas, 136 foram excluídas por erro no estadiamento ou por terem recebido outro tipo de quimioterapia. A mediana de idade foi 50 anos, todas com performance status 0-1. A mediana do tamanho clínico inicial do tumor foi 65mm e a mediana do tamanho clínico final do tumor foi 22mm. Apresentaram resposta patológica completa 51 (17,1%) pacientes. Aquelas que apresentavam perfil hormonal negativo ou que eram triplo-negativas (Her-2 e perfil hormonal negativos) tiveram impacto favorável na resposta patológica completa.

Conclusão:: Quimioterapia neoadjuvante com doxorrubicina/ciclofosfamida seguidas de paclitaxel ofereceu taxa de resposta patológica completa na população estudada de acordo com a literatura. Pacientes triplo-negativas tiveram maior chance de atingir essa resposta.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Paclitaxel