Weekly docetaxel (Taxotere) in patients with metastatic breast cancer

The role of imaging in targeted delivery of nanomedicine for cancer therapy

Nanomedicines overcome the pharmacokinetic limitations of traditional drug formulations and have promising prospect in cancer treatment. However, nanomedicine delivery in vivo is still facing challenges from the complex physiological environment. For the purpose of effective tumor therapy, they should be designed to guarantee the five features principle, including long blood circulation, efficient tumor accumulation, deep matrix penetration, enhanced cell internalization and accurate drug release. To ensure the excellent performance of the designed nanomedicine, it would be better to monitor the drug delivery process as well as the therapeutic effects by real-time imaging. In this review, we summarize strategies in developing nanomedicines for efficiently meeting the five features of drug delivery, and the role of several imaging modalities (fluorescent imaging (FL), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), photoacoustic imaging (PAI), positron emission tomography (PET), and electron microscopy) in tracing drug delivery and therapeutic effect in vivo based on five features principle.

Mannose-Functionalized Nanoscaffolds for Targeted Delivery in Biomedical Applications

Targeted drug delivery by nanomaterials has been extensively investigated as an effective strategy to surmount obstacles in the conventional treatment of cancer and infectious diseases, such as systemic toxicity, low drug efficacy, and drug resistance. Mannose-binding C-type lectins, which primarily include mannose receptor (MR, CD206) and dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN), are highly expressed on various cancer cells, endothelial cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells (DCs), which make them attractive targets for therapeutic effect. Mannosylated nanomaterials hold great potential in cancer and infection treatment on account of their direct therapeutic effect on targeted cells, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, and stimulation of immune response through antigen presentation. This review presents the recent advances in mannose-based targeted delivery nanoplatforms incorporated with different therapies in the biomedical field.

Dynamic strategy for personalized medicine: An application to metastatic breast cancer

We compare methods to develop an adaptive strategy for therapy choice in a class of breast cancer patients, as an example of approaches to personalize therapies for individual characteristics and each patient's response to therapy. Our model maintains a Markov belief about the effectiveness of the different therapies and updates it as therapies are administered and tumor images are observed, reflecting tumor response. We compare three different approximate methods to solve our analytical model against standard medical practice and show significant potential benefit of the computed dynamic strategies to limit tumor growth and to reduce the number of time periods patients are given chemotherapy, with its attendant side effects.

Gefitinib in Combination with Weekly Docetaxel in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Caused Unexpected Toxicity: Results from a Randomized Phase II Clinical Trial

In patients with metastatic breast cancer, taxane treatment demonstrates activity but is not curative. Targeted treatment modalities are therefore necessary in order to improve outcomes in this group. A randomized placebo-controlled phase II trial was initiated to evaluate effect and toxicity of gefitinib (250 mg QD) and docetaxel 35 mg/m² (six of seven weeks) (NCT 00319618). The inclusion of 66 patients was planned. The study was closed due to treatment-related toxicity. Of the 18 included patients, seven (of which three received gefitinib) were withdrawn from the study due to toxicity. Of the nine patients receiving gefitinib and chemotherapy, one achieved a partial response and four stable disease. In the chemotherapy of nine patients, four had a partial response and four stable disease. The breast cancer patients in this study were genotyped using a panel of 14 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), previously found associated with docetaxel clearance in a cohort of lung cancer patients. We were unable to identify genes related to toxicity in this study. Nevertheless, toxicity was aggravated by the addition of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In conclusion, despite adequately tolerated as monotherapy, combination regimens should be carefully considered for overlapping adverse events in order to avoid increased treatment-related toxicity.

Dexamethasone premedication for prophylaxis of taxane toxicities: can the doses be reduced when paclitaxel or docetaxel are given weekly?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical literature supporting reduced doses of dexamethasone to prevent taxane hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), and edema/skin toxicities in respect to docetaxel, when taxanes are given weekly, as opposed to every 3 weeks.

DATA SOURCE

Clinical literature of human-controlled clinical trials, accessed through MEDLINE and meeting abstract databases (from 1990 to 2010).

DATA EXTRACTION

The retrieved literature was reviewed to include all human clinical trials that recorded adverse effect information with weekly taxanes utilizing reduced-dose or tapering dexamethasone schemas, either prospectively or retrospectively.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Prophylaxis for paclitaxel-related HSRs generally includes one or more 20 mg doses of dexamethasone, with histamine-1 and -2 receptor antagonists prior to infusion of paclitaxel. Prophylaxis for docetaxel-related HSRs generally includes dexamethasone beginning 1 day before docetaxel, and continuing twice daily for a total of 3 days. These schedules were designed for taxanes given every 3 weeks, but may lead to steroid-related adverse effects when given weekly with weekly taxane administration. Treatment strategies designed to reduce corticosteroid exposure in patients receiving weekly taxanes have been investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

Several predication strategies utilizing reduced doses of dexamethasone with weekly taxanes appear to be feasible and safe, and can be considered for patients experiencing, or at high risk for steroid-induced side effects. However, the optimal schedule is not yet determined; larger prospective clinical trials are needed.

Weekly docetaxel in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most frequent tumor among women worldwide and is the second cause of cancer-related mortality in the US. Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) accounts for less than 10% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and about 30% of early breast cancer patients will develop recurrent, advanced, or metastatic disease. It remains an incurable illness and the primary goal of its management is palliative. Several agents are active for the first-line treatment of MBC. The taxanes, paclitaxel and docetaxel, represent the standard of care for the treatment of these patients. Among the various schedules, docetaxel can be administered weekly, achieving similar efficacy results with lower toxicity compared with conventional schedules. Weekly docetaxel (25–40 mg/m²) has been widely tested in several phase I and II studies both as a single agent and in multichemotherapy regimens, reaching overall response rates ranging from 26% and 86% or 20% and 73% with docetaxel alone or in combination, respectively, depending on doses, associations, and line of treatment. Overall, published data support the administration of weekly docetaxel for the treatment of MBC patients even if data from phase III randomized trials are still lacking.

Weekly epirubicin plus docetaxel as first-line treatment in metastatic breast cancer

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a weekly schedule of epirubicin in combination with docetaxel in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). A total of 43 women with MBC not previously treated with chemotherapy for metastatic disease received weekly epirubicin 25 mg m⁻² and docetaxel 25 mg m⁻² for a maximum of five cycles (total cumulative epirubicin dose of ⩽900 mg m⁻²). Dose reduction was not permitted. Objective response and evaluation of toxicity profile were the primary study end points; time to progression and overall survival were secondary end points. Patients were followed for a median of 21 (4–38) months. Analysis was by intent to treat; 33 patients completed five cycles of therapy, and the median dose of epirubicin administered to the 43 patients was 23 mg m⁻². Twenty-five patients (58%) achieved a partial response and one (2%) achieved a complete response. An additional 12 patients (28%) had stable disease. The median time to progression was 11 months (95% confidence intervals (CI) 7–14) overall, and 13 months (95% CI 12–14) in the 26 patients who responded to treatment. Median overall survival was 25 months for responders and 14 months for nonresponders. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 16% of patients and in 6% of cycles. One patient developed cardiac toxicity (20% reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction). The combination of epirubicin plus docetaxel is highly active in MBC, with a manageable toxicity profile. Such a weekly schedule might provide a valuable treatment option for MBC.

A phase II trial of docetaxel (Taxotere) as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer

The efficacy and tolerability of docetaxel 100 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer was investigated. In addition, the efficacy of a 3-day prophylaxis against cumulative dose-related fluid retention was examined with methylprednisolone 32 mg twice daily for 3 days starting 12 and 3 h before the docetaxel infusion together with oral cetirizine 10 mg 12 and 3 h before start of docetaxel for prevention of acute hypersensitivity reactions. According to the intent to treat-analysis 35% (95%CI: 25; 46) of the 94 patients entered responded to therapy. Their median survival was 12 months (range 0-20 months). The respective response rate for the 87 patients eligible for response evaluation was 37% (95%CI: 27; 48). Their median duration of response was 8 months (range 3-12 months), their median time to progression was 4 months (range 1-12 months). The corresponding response rate in the eligible patient cohort with anthracycline-resistant disease was 28% (95%CI: 15; 45) and increased to 44% (95%CI: 30; 59) in the cohort with non-anthracycline-resistant disease. Patients with visceral metastases responded in 36% and patients with > or = 3 organs involved in 33%. In a retrospective analysis, the 3-day premedication of corticosteroids and antihistamines proved to be as effective as the established but more toxic 5-day regimen in delaying and preventing the occurrence of docetaxel derived toxicities especially the cumulative fluid retention. In conclusion, docetaxel represents one of the most active agents for second-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer, especially for anthracycline-resistant patients. Due to comparable effectiveness of the 5-day regimen which is widely used by others and the 3-day premedication tested in this trial the latter proved to be more favourable and was therefore recommended for future therapies.

A Pilot Study of a Day One and Eight Every Three Weeks Administration of Docetaxel in Metastatic Cancer Patients

Aims and Background

Docetaxel is an active agent in metastatic cancers. The standard administration every 3 weeks frequently causes gastrointestinal toxicity and severe myelosuppression. These are rare with a weekly docetaxel regimen, which instead produces severe asthenia. To develop a new docetaxel schedule associated with mild myelosuppression and less fatigue, we conducted this pilot study to determine the feasibility and the maximum tolerated dose of a day one and eight every three weeks administration of docetaxel.

Patients and Methods

The first 3 patients were treated with a dose of 40 mg/m2 on day one and eight, which was then escalated by increments of 5 mg/m2 on both days up to determine the maximum tolerated dose, defined as the dose level associated with the same dose-limiting toxicity in at least 33% of patients.

Results

Twenty-one metastatic cancer patients entered the study, with a median age of 57 years and a median performance status of 1. The escalation of dose continued up to 55 mg/m2, where 2 of the 6 enrolled patients presented grade 3 diarrhea, which was our dose-limiting toxicity. Myelosuppression was mild, and no febrile neutropenia was observed. None of the patients showed grade 4 non-haematological toxicity. Only 9.5% of them presented grade 3 asthenia, whereas grade 3 diarrhea and mucositis were revealed in 19% and 9.5%, respectively. All grade 3 non-hematological toxicities were observed in heavily pretreated or elderly patients.

Conclusions

The recommended dose of docetaxel was 50 mg/m2, but the regimen could not be recommended in heavily pretreated patients. However, it could become an option in an outpatient setting after a phase II study that better defines its toxicity profile and evaluate its antitumor activity.

Docetaxel-associated epiphora

Docetaxel is a semisynthetic taxane indicated for the treatment of advanced breast, prostate, and non-small cell lung cancers; it is also used for the treatment of various other solid tumors. The standard intermittent dosage of docetaxel is 60-100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. At this dose and schedule, myelosuppression is common and neutropenia is usually the dose-limiting toxicity. Weekly administration of docetaxel 20-42 mg/m2 is being tested in the treatment of advanced solid tumors in order to improve patient tolerance by reducing the interval dose and to maintain therapeutic efficacy by increasing overall dose intensity. Asthenia and peripheral neuropathy can limit continued administration of weekly docetaxel. Epiphora (excess tearing due to narrowing or blockage of the lacrimal outflow passages) is associated with repeated weekly administration of docetaxel. This adverse effect can interfere with activities of daily life and negatively affect quality of life. Epiphora may be an underreported adverse effect of treatment because of underrecognition by clinicians and patient embarrassment with respect to seemingly uncontrolled tearing. The use of weekly docetaxel administration is expanding; therefore, patients should be educated to recognize and report signs and symptoms of epiphora. It is important for clinicians participating in the care of patients undergoing treatment with docetaxel to monitor for excess tearing and signs of eye irritation to ensure timely management of treatment-related epiphora.

Docetaxel: a review of its use in metastatic breast cancer

Docetaxel (Taxotere), a cytotoxic taxane, is an antimicrotubule agent effective in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. The clinical profile of docetaxel as an effective cytotoxic agent in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer is well established. As yet, no single standard regimen has been identified as optimal for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy. However, the efficacy of docetaxel monotherapy administered every 3 weeks as a 1-hour infusion is similar to or better than that of doxorubicin, paclitaxel and fluorouracil plus vinorelbine, and better than that of methotrexate plus fluorouracil or mitomycin plus vinblastine. Although docetaxel is associated with neutropenia and other adverse events, its overall tolerability profile is generally acceptable in the majority of patients. Docetaxel, therefore, is an effective option in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy.

Study of the effect of standardized chemotherapy order forms on prescribing errors and anti-emetic cost

OBJECTIVES

Many anti-neoplastic medication errors and excessive use of serotonin antagonist anti-emetic agents might be prevented by the use of a standardized chemotherapy order form (SCOF). Several studies showing a reduction in prescribing errors or control of inappropriate anti-emetic use through the use of SCOFs have been reported. No previously published study reported SCOFs were used to reduce both prescribing errors and anti-emetic cost. This study attempts to measure these outcomes in a haematology-oncology pharmacy service.

METHODS

The study consisted of a four-month control period, followed by a four-month test period following dissemination of the standardized order forms. In each period, prescriber errors and anti-emetic use were monitored. During the control period, using clinical studies from the primary literature and anti-emetic guidelines, 64 SCOFs representing the most commonly used chemotherapy regimens in the medical oncology and gynaecology oncology services were developed by the haematology-oncology pharmacy. Differences in prescribing error rate and anti-emetic cost were compared between each period and with the institution's historic prescribing error rate.

RESULTS

During the control period, 1078 orders for oral and parenteral granisetron and ondansetron with combined total acquisition cost of $76 454.64 and a mean cost of $70.92 were dispensed. During the test period, the pharmacy dispensed 1121 orders with an acquisition cost of $73 331.61 and a mean cost of $65.42. A savings of $3123.03 resulted from a reduction of the amount prescribed in the test period. The difference in mean cost per order between the two periods was significant (P <0.037). Fifty-three prescribing errors out of 3592 medication orders were detected in the control period, while 12 errors out of 3585 medication orders were detected during the test period. A significant difference(P <0.0001) was detected between the two periods. There was a significant difference (P <0.0001) between the control period and the institution's historic prescribing error rate and no difference between the test period and the institution's historic prescribing error rate.

CONCLUSION

SCOFs significantly reduced serotonin antagonist anti-emetic cost and prescribing error rate over a four-month period.

Docetaxel in the treatment of breast cancer: current experience and future prospects

It has become clear over the past 10 years that docetaxel, a semisynthetic taxoid antineoplastic agent, is among the most promising compounds to have been developed in the 1990s for the treatment of breast cancer. Data indicate that this drug became standard therapy in the treatment of patients with metastatic disease who have failed anthracycline treatment, and secondarily showed very encouraging results in the first-line metastatic setting either in monochemotherapy or when docetaxel was combined with an anthracycline. More recently, docetaxel also became one of the standard therapies in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings, and a promising partner for novel biologic therapies. Current research is further exploring the effect of docetaxel on outcome of early breast cancer in order to fully determine the extent that this chemotherapeutic agent will change the natural history of breast cancer.

Phase II Trial of Weekly Docetaxel/Gemcitabine as First-Line Chemotherapy in Patients with Locally Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

A phase II study evaluated weekly docetaxel/gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy for locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer in a multicenter community oncology practice setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible patients who had not received chemotherapy for metastatic disease received docetaxel 30 mg/m2 followed by gemcitabine 800 mg/m2, each administered weekly for 3 weeks (days 1, 8, and 15), followed by a 1-week rest period (28-day cycle). Patients also received oral dexamethasone to reduce the incidence/severity of fluid retention and hypersensitivity reactions. Of the 46 enrolled patients, 45 were treated as part of the intent-to-treat (ITT) population and were evaluable for safety.

RESULTS

There were 3 complete responses and 12 partial responses among the 39 evaluable patients, for an objective response rate (ORR) of 39% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24%-54%). The ORR in the ITT population was 33% (95% CI, 18%-48%). Median time to response was 3.4 months, with a median response duration of 6.7 months. Median survival was 15.8 months, and median time to progression was 5.8 months. The most common grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity was neutropenia (13.3%); there was a low incidence of other grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities. Grade 3 fatigue (15.6%) was the most common grade 3/4 nonhematologic toxicity, and grade 2 alopecia occurred in 47% of patients. One patient who had been receiving chronic corticosteroid therapy died from treatment-related neutropenia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

CONCLUSION

These phase II results suggest that weekly docetaxel/gemcitabine is moderately active and well tolerated as first-line therapy for locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. No clear advantage for combined weekly docetaxel/gemcitabine was observed compared with published results on the efficacy of docetaxel and gemcitabine given as single agents.

Weekly Docetaxel and Gemcitabine as First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results of a Multicenter Phase II Study

OBJECTIVES

We conducted a multicenter phase II study to evaluate the clinical efficacy, toxicity, and dose intensity of a new weekly schedule of docetaxel and gemcitabine as first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer patients.

METHODS

We enrolled 58 patients, 52% of whom had received a previous anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. The treatment schedule was: docetaxel 35 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1, 8, 15 every 28 days.

RESULTS

All patients were assessable for toxicity and 56 for efficacy. Overall response rate was 64.3% with 16.1% of complete responses and 48.2% of partial responses. Median survival was 22.10 months (95% CI: 15.53-28.67) and median time to tumor progression was 13.6 months (95% CI: 10.71-16.49). The most common hematological toxicity was neutropenia (no febrile neutropenia), which occurred in 28 patients (48.3%) but grade 3-4 in only 8 patients (14%). Alopecia, the most common nonhematological toxicity, occurred in 20 (34.5%) patients, but only 5 patients (8.6%) experienced grade 3 alopecia.

CONCLUSION

The activity of docetaxel and gemcitabine in metastatic breast cancer is confirmed. The promising results of the employed schedule, in agreement with other published studies, need to be further confirmed within a phase III study.

Weekly Docetaxel in Pretreated Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients: A Phase I-II Study

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a phase I-II study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicity and activity of weekly docetaxel administration in pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients.

METHODS

In phase I, cohorts of 3 women with pretreated metastatic breast cancer were treated with a 1-hour infusion of docetaxelat 30, 35, 40 mg/m2/week after premedication with two doses of dexamethazone 8 mg 12 h apart. Subsequently, a cohort of 28 women was treated at the MTD for 24 consecutive weeks in a phase II setting and was assessed for toxicity and activity.

RESULTS

Three patients were treated at each of the first two dose levels; 9 patients were treated at the 3rd level (40 mg/m2/week). Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were experienced at that level by 2/6 patients of the first two accrued groups and in 2/3 patients of the 3rd (confirmation) group, thus establishing the subsequent phase II dose at 35 mg/m2/week. Two out of 28 evaluable patients (7.1%, 95% CI 0-16.7) showed complete responses, whereas 8 (28.6%, 95% CI 11.8-45.3) showed partial responses, and an objective response rate of 35.7% (95% confidence interval, CI 18-53.5%). In addition, 8 patients (28.6%) had stable disease. The median time to progression and overall survival were 5 (range 1-15) and 15 months (95% CI 7-23), respectively. One patient experienced 1 episode of grade 3 neutropenia. Severe asthenia was the main reason for interruption of chemotherapy (10 patients, 35.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

In pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients, the sustained weekly administration of docetaxel, even though it demonstrated an activity similar to a 3-weekly schedule could not be maintained for the planned 24 weeks due to the progressive emergence of nonhematological side effects that approached DLTs.

Docetaxel administration schedule: from fever to tears? A review of randomised studies

The anti-cancer agent docetaxel is approved for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and for the treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer. At the recommended dose of 60-100 mg/m2 given every 3 weeks, severe neutropenia is the dose-limiting toxicity and a major concern especially when treating patients at high-risk from myelotoxic complications. A less toxic schedule, involving weekly docetaxel administration was developed for patients with poor performance status, multiple comorbidities, poor haematological reserves or those who were heavily pre-treated, elderly or patients for whom palliation is the focus of treatment. Recent randomised trials allow a comparison of efficacy and toxicity between weekly and 3-weekly treatments. Efficacy appears to be similar for the two schedules regardless of the disease while weekly docetaxel is significantly less myelotoxic. However, this benefit comes at the cost of cumulative increases in hyperlacrimation, skin- and nail-toxicity and negatively affects quality of life. Currently, 3-weekly docetaxel remains the standard schedule for treatment, whereas the weekly schedule offers a possibility of treatment individualisation for those patients where the risk of myelosuppression is considered unacceptable.

Weekly docetaxel/carboplatin as primary systemic therapy for HER2-negative locally advanced breast cancer

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of weekly docetaxel/carboplatin as primary systemic therapy (PST) for locally advanced breast cancer, we conducted a phase II study. Forty-four patients with HER2-negative locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) received docetaxel 35 mg/m(2) and carboplatin to an area under the curve of 2 mg/mL/min for 3 of 4 weeks over 16 weeks. After completion of PST, patients had breast surgery and then received 4 cycles of adjuvant cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin, standard radiation therapy, and, for hormone receptorpositive tumors, tamoxifen. The mean tumor size was 9.3 cm (range, 5-24 cm). Thirty-seven patients (85%) had palpable lymph nodes; 13 patients (30%) had matted or fixed nodes (N2). Eight patients had IBC. There were 11 clinical complete responses (25%) and 29 clinical partial responses (66%), resulting in 40 objective responses (91% [95% CI, 78%-96%]). Invasive disease disappeared (pathologic complete response) from the breast and axilla in 6 patients (14% [95% CI, 5%-27%]) and from the axilla in 17 patients (39% [95% CI, 24%-55%]). The only significant adverse hematologic event was grade 3 neutropenia in 4 patients (9%). The most common adverse nonhematologic events were fatigue (84% of patients) and alopecia (84%), which were usually grade 1/2. Weekly docetaxel/carboplatin appears to be active and feasible as PST in patients with large breast tumors.

A multicentre, randomised phase II study of weekly or 3-weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

A phase II randomised trial was conducted to evaluate the tolerability and activity of weekly or 3-weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighty-three patients with histologically proven metastatic breast cancer were randomised to receive either docetaxel 40 mg/m2 weekly for 6 consecutive weeks followed by 2 weeks without treatment (n = 41), or docetaxel 100 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks (n = 42).

RESULTS

The incidence of all grade 3-4 adverse events was higher in the 3-weekly group than in the weekly group (96 versus 44), and the number of patients with grade 3-4 adverse events was also greater in the 3-weekly group (31 versus 20). Analysis of individual adverse events tended to favour the weekly regimen. Intent-to-treat overall response rate was 34% and 33% in the weekly and 3-weekly groups, respectively. Median time to progression was 5.7 and 5.3 months after weekly and 3-weekly docetaxel, respectively, and median time to treatment failure was 4.1 and 4.9 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Weekly docetaxel is an active regimen in metastatic breast cancer with comparable efficacy to 3 weekly docetaxel. Although both schedules were well tolerated, weekly docetaxel appears to have a more favourable toxicity profile.

High efficacy and low toxicity of weekly docetaxel given as first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Docetaxel is one of the most effective antitumor agents currently available for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This phase II multicenter study prospectively analyzed the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel given on a weekly schedule as first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients received docetaxel, 35 mg/m(2) weekly for 6 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of rest. Subsequent cycles (3 weeks of treatment, 2 weeks of rest) were given until a maximum of 5 cycles or disease progression. Premedication consisted of 8 mg dexamethasone intravenously 30 min prior to the infusion of docetaxel.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients at a median age of 58 years with previously untreated MBC were included in the study. A median of 10 doses (median cumulative dose 339 mg/m(2)) was administered (range: 2-18). The overall response rate was 48.1% (95% CI: 34-61%, intent-to-treat). Median survival was 15.8 months and median time to progression was 5.9 months (intent-to-treat). Hematological toxicity was mild with absence of neutropenia-related complications. Grade 3 neutropenia was observed in 3.7% of patients and grade 3 and 4 anemia was observed in 5.6 and 1.9% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The weekly administration of docetaxel is highly efficient and safe as first-line treatment for MBC and may serve as an important treatment option specifically in elderly patients and patients with a reduced performance status.

Practical aspects of weekly docetaxel administration schedules

Docetaxel (Taxotere; Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Bridgewater, NJ) is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent with proven efficacy in a number of solid tumors. However, myelosuppression can be a substantial concern when docetaxel is administered every 3 weeks. Myelosuppression can be particularly problematic in older patients and those being treated with palliative intent. Weekly dosing of docetaxel has been investigated in an effort to reduce toxicity and has been identified as a safe and effective regimen in clinical trials. Weekly docetaxel is generally administered at doses ranging from 30-40 mg/m(2)/week for 6 of 8 weeks or for 3 of 4 weeks. With weekly dosing, though efficacy is comparable, myelosuppression is substantially less, and the overall tolerability profile is better than with every-3-week dosing. Fatigue is a common toxicity associated with weekly docetaxel; other adverse effects that are seen in a minority of patients include hyperlacrimation, nail toxicity, and alopecia. These side effects are dose related and can generally be managed through dose reductions or alterations in the weekly schedule. Because of the favorable tolerability profile, weekly docetaxel is under investigation in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents and with novel targeted agents in a variety of tumor types. The results of these ongoing studies will further define the place of weekly docetaxel in cancer therapy.

Final Results of a Phase II Clinical Trial of Weekly Docetaxel in Combination with Capecitabine in Anthracycline-Pretreated Metastatic Breast Cancer

The addition of capecitabine to docetaxel on a 3-week schedule resulted in superior response rate, increased time to progression (TTP), and improved overall survival in patients with anthracycline-pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Because the toxicity profile of weekly docetaxel differs from the standard 21-day docetaxel schedule, we performed a phase I/II trial to test the efficacy and safety of weekly docetaxel in combination with capecitabine given for 14 days every 21 days. The phase I study identified the doses of docetaxel (30 mg/m2 weekly) and capecitabine (900 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14 every 21 days) used in phase II. Twenty female patients with measurable or assessable MBC were enrolled. Eighteen patients had previously received anthracyclines; 2 had contraindications to anthracyclines. Patients remained on study for a maximum of eight 3-week cycles or until tumor progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred; response assessments were scheduled after cycle 2, 5, and 8. Seventeen patients were assessed after cycle 2; 3 subjects (18%) had a partial response (PR), 9 had stable disease (53%; SD), and 5 patients (29%) had progressive disease (PD). Ten patients were assessable after cycle 5. Two patients (20%) had a PR, 5 patients (50%) had SD, and 3 patients (30%) had PD. The most common grade 3 toxicities were nail loss (45%), asthenia (30%), and hand-foot syndrome (30%), and toxicities led to study discontinuation in 10 patients. The median time to treatment failure was 10 weeks and median TTP was 26 weeks. The median duration of response was 9 weeks and the median duration of SD was 16 weeks. The median overall survival was 82 weeks. This schedule of weekly docetaxel in combination with day 1-14 capecitabine has activity; however, toxicity discourages the use of this schedule in lieu of the standard docetaxel/capecitabine regimen.

Weekly regimen of irinotecan/docetaxel in previously treated non-small cell lung cancer patients and correlation with uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) polymorphism

PURPOSE

Inherited variations in drug metabolizing enzymes may influence drug efficacy. This phase II study assesses the impact of second-line weekly irinotecan (CPT-11)/docetaxel in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and gauges the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase (UGT1A1) polymorphism influence in toxicity and antitumor activity.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Fifty-one patients with NSCLC treated with at least one prior chemotherapy regimen were enrolled. Patients received irinotecan 70 mg/m(2) followed by docetaxel 25 mg/m(2). Both drugs were given on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days. UGT1A1 polymorphism were analyzed in blood samples of 47 patients. The UGT1A1 polymorphism are classified according to the number of TA repeats in the promoter region of this gene.

RESULTS

Three patients (6%) achieved a partial response and nineteen patients (37%) had stable disease. Median survival was 8 months (95% CI: 4.8-11.2) and 1-year survival 30%. Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity was low (less than 10% of patients); 15% of patients had grade 3 asthenia and 25% of patients had grade 3/4 diarrhea. The frequency of UGT1A1 genotypes was as follows: 6/6 49%, 6/7 36%, and 7/7 15%. No differences in toxicity were observed according to UGT1A1 polymorphism. A nonsignificant improvement in time to progression (4 vs. 3 months) and median survival (11 vs. 8 months) was detected in patients with the variant alleles (6/7 and 7/7).

CONCLUSIONS

This weekly irinotecan/docetaxel regimen has shown an acceptable toxicity profile while encouraging median and 1-year survival in heavily pretreated NSCLC patients. The tendency to better prognosis in patients carrying the variant genotypes 6/7 and 7/7 of UGT1A1 gene requires further validation.

Taxanes in elderly breast cancer patients

Breast cancer in elderly patients (70+) is a major health problem that will only increase in the future. Besides adequate local treatment and hormone therapy, there can be an indication for chemotherapy in this patient group. Due to concerns of excessive toxicity, there is often a defeatist attitude towards chemotherapy in elderly patients. As taxanes are considered to be the most effective drugs in breast cancer, and as the weekly regimens seem at least as effective as the 3-weekly regimens but with less toxicity, these weekly regimens are very attractive for elderly breast cancer patients. Many different doses have been used for the weekly taxane regimens in phase II trials. Although large comparative studies are lacking, pharmacological studies are suggestive for a decreased clearance of both paclitaxel and docetaxel in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients. It seems therefore safe to use the lower range of proposed doses of the weekly regimens until further data provide stronger evidence for optimal dosing in elderly patients. A dose of paclitaxel 80 mg/m(2)/week and docetaxel 36 mg/m(2)/week seems tolerable for elderly patients without excessive toxicity and with impressive response rates. The dose limiting toxicity for 3-weekly taxanes, severe neutropaenia, is generally very limited in weekly regimens, also in the elderly or frail patients. However, neuropathy (paclitaxel) or fatigue and fluid retention (docetaxel) can be troublesome, and eventually require dose modifications. In general however, weekly taxanes are a reasonable option for older patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Phase II study of weekly docetaxel alone or in combination with trastuzumab in patients with metastatic breast cancer

This study was designed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of weekly docetaxel in metastatic breast cancer when given alone (for HER2/neu negative disease) or with trastuzumab (for HER2/neu overexpressing disease). Patients with metastatic breast carcinoma received docetaxel given on 2 different schedules (group 1A, 33 mg/m2 weekly [n = 21]; group 1B, 40 mg/m2 weekly for 3 weeks with 1 week off [n = 14]). Patients with HER2/neu overexpressing disease also received trastuzumab 4 mg/kg on day 1, then 2 mg/kg on days 8 and 15 of each 28-day cycle (group 2). Fifty-two patients were treated with docetaxel alone (group 1A/B, n = 35) or in combination with trastuzumab (group 2, n = 17). Prior taxane therapy given every 3 weeks had been used for metastatic disease in 19 of 35 patients (54%) in group 1A/B and in 2 of 17 patients (12%) in group 2. The mean delivered dose intensity of docetaxel was 29 mg/m2 per week. Partial response occurred in 7 of 35 patients (21%; 95% exact binomial confidence interval [CI], 9%-38%) treated with docetaxel alone, including 3 of 19 taxane-pretreated patients (16%) and 4 of 16 taxane-naive patients (25%). Partial response occurred in 10 of 17 patients (59%; 95% CI, 34%-82%) treated with docetaxel/trastuzumab. The most common grade 3/4 toxicities, occurring in more than or equal to 10% of patients, included neutropenia (21%), pulmonary toxicity (12%), and hyperglycemia (10%). The median times to disease progression were 4.5 months (95% CI, 2.5-6.5 months) in the docetaxel group and 8.5 months (95% CI, 4.5-12.5 months) in the docetaxel/trastuzumab group. Weekly docetaxel/trastuzumab is an effective regimen for patients with HER2/neu overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Weekly docetaxel may be effective in as many as 20% of patients who had progressive disease after treatment with taxanes given every 3 weeks.

Safety and efficacy of weekly docetaxel in frail and/or elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer: a phase II study

This phase II study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of weekly docetaxel (36 mg/m) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in 47 frail and/or elderly patients who were ineligible for the standard 3-weekly docetaxel (100 mg/m) regimen. Reasons for ineligibility to the latter were age > or = 70 years (10 patients), poor hematological reserves (15 patients), impaired liver function (eight patients), intolerance to previous taxanes administered 3-weekly without demonstrated resistance (five patients) or any combination of these reasons (nine patients). There was a median of two prior chemotherapy regimens and more than 60% had a WHO performance score at baseline of 2-3. A total of 408 weekly administrations were given over a period of 525 weeks (78% of the intended dose intensity) and the median cumulative dose of docetaxel per patient was 278 mg/m. The incidence of serious adverse events was low. Grade 3 neutropenia occurred in six patients and grade 4 in four patients. Of these 10 patients, eight had pre-existing hematological abnormalities and four developed neutropenic fever. Neurotoxicity was mild and grade 3 paraesthesia occurred in one patient. The overall objective response rate in 37 evaluable patients was 30% and responses were observed in all subgroups of patients. We conclude that weekly docetaxel (36 mg/m) is active, safe and well tolerated in heavily pre-treated frail/elderly patients with poor prognostic features, including low performance scores and multiple metastatic sites, who would not be eligible for treatment with the standard 3-weekly regimen.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of weekly and every-three-weeks docetaxel

PURPOSE

Weekly administration of docetaxel has demonstrated comparable efficacy together with a distinct toxicity profile with reduced myelosuppression, although pharmacokinetic data with weekly regimens are lacking. The comparative pharmacokinetics of docetaxel during weekly and once every 3 weeks (3-weekly) administration schedules were evaluated.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Forty-six patients received weekly docetaxel (35 mg/m(2)) as a 30-min infusion alone (n = 8) or in combination with irinotecan (n = 12), or in 3-weekly regimens, as a 1-h infusion at 60 mg/m(2) with doxorubicin (n = 10), 75 mg/m(2) alone (n = 9), or 100 mg/m(2) alone (n = 7). Serial blood samples were obtained immediately before and up to 21 days after the infusion. Plasma concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and analyzed by compartmental modeling.

RESULTS

Mean +/- SD docetaxel clearance values were similar with weekly and 3-weekly schedules (25.2 +/- 7.7 versus 23.7 +/- 7.9 liter/h/m(2)); half-lives were also similar with both schedules of administration (16.5 +/- 11.2 versus 17.6 +/- 7.4 h). With extended plasma sampling beyond 24 h post-infusion, docetaxel clearance was 18% lower and the terminal half-life was 5-fold longer. At 35 mg/m(2), the mean +/- SD docetaxel concentration on day 8 was 0.00088 +/- 0.00041 microg/ml (1.08 +/- 0.51 nM) at 75 mg/m(2), concentrations on day 8, 15, and 22 were 0.0014 +/- 0.00043 microg/ml (1.79 +/- 0.53 nM), 0.00067 +/- 0.00025 microg/ml (0.83 +/- 0.31 nM), and 0.00047 +/- 0.00008 microg/ml (0.58 +/- 0.099 nM), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Docetaxel pharmacokinetics are similar for the weekly and 3-weekly regimens. Prolonged circulation of low nanomolar concentrations of docetaxel may contribute to the mechanism of action of docetaxel through suppression of microtubule dynamics and tumor angiogenesis and enhanced cell radiosensitivity in combined modality therapy.

Neurotoxicity of taxanes: symptoms and quality of life assessment

Paclitaxel (TXL) and docetaxel (TXT), especially TXL, cause neurotoxicity manifested as polyneuropathy. In clinical practice, detailed knowledge of the symptoms and effect on quality of life (QOL) of neurotoxicity is crucially important both for diagnosis of neuropathy and for management of patients treated with taxanes. In this review, we summarize the symptoms of neurotoxicity caused by taxanes, and highlight the importance of QOL assessment in breast cancer patients treated with taxanes. The most common feature of taxane neurotoxicity is a predominant sensory distal neuropathy, and the incidence and severity of the neuropathic manifestations appear to be related to dose level and cumulative dose. A mixture of paresthesias and dysesthesias is often prominent, and the complaints include burning dysesthesia, numbness, tingling, and shooting pains, typically in a stocking-glove distribution. In contrast to sensory disturbances, motor neuropathy is not well recognized, and is believed to be much less common than sensory neuropathy. Weakness is usually mild, and distal motor neuropathy caused by taxanes rarely affects patients' activities of daily living. The effect of neurotoxicity on QOL is not fully understood, as no study has specifically assessed QOL in terms of neurotoxicity. There is therefore a clear need to collect more detailed data about QOL using well validated, reliable instruments. This will enable us to provide the information that patients require when treatment decisions are being made, and will help in the pursuit of the ameliorative interventions.

Population pharmacokinetics of weekly docetaxel in patients with advanced cancer

AIMS

Previous pharmacokinetic studies of the 3-weekly regimen (100 mg m(-2) every 3 weeks) of docetaxel have shown that docetaxel clearance is affected by liver function, body surface area, age, serum alpha1-acid glycoprotein and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity. However, the pharmacokinetics of a weekly docetaxel (40 mg m(-2) week(-1)) schedule are not well characterized. The aims of this study were (a) to investigate the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel (40 mg m(-2) week(-1)) using sparse concentration-time data collected from patients with advanced cancer and (b) to utilize a population pharmacokinetic approach to identify patient covariates that significantly influence the clearance of docetaxel when administered according to this regimen.

METHODS

A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model was used to describe the docetaxel concentration-time data from 54 patients with advanced cancer. The mean population and individual posterior Bayesian estimates of docetaxel clearance were estimated using P-PHARM. The relationships between docetaxel clearance and 21 covariates were investigated. This included estimates of CYP3A4 function in each patient using the erythromycin breath test (1/tmax). Significant covariates were included into the final population pharmacokinetic model. Pharmacokinetic models were validated using a data splitting approach with a dataset consisting of 16 patients.

RESULTS

Significant relationships were found between docetaxel clearance and 1/tmax (erythromycin breath test parameter) and several of the liver function enzymes and CL was best described by the equation; CL = 21.51 + 217 (1/tmax) - 0.13 (ALT). This final population pharmacokinetic model provided both precise and unbiased predictions of docetaxel concentrations in a validation group of patients and an estimate of the population mean (95% confidence interval) clearance of docetaxel was 30.13 l h(-1) (12.54, 46.04 l h(-1)) with an intersubject variability 30%.

CONCLUSIONS

A population pharmacokinetic model has been developed and validated for weekly docetaxel (40 mg m(-2)) in patients with advanced cancer. These results indicate that CYP3A4 activity and hepatic function have an impact on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel when administered weekly.

Weekly schedule of docetaxel in breast cancer: evaluation of response and toxicity

Several recent studies have investigated the administration of docetaxel on a weekly basis. Here, we review the weekly use of docetaxel in breast cancer. To identify articles published on this topic we performed a computer-assisted MEDLINE search; additional references were found in the bibliographies of these articles. Several phase Tstudies of weekly docetaxel have provided encouraging data indicating that there is generally less myelosuppression than with the three week schedule in patients with a variety of advanced malignancies. Dose-limiting toxicities are reached at 43 to 50 mg/m(2), and the recommended dose ranges from 36 to 42 mg/m(2). Furthermore, five studies of weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer achieved 32 to 41% response rates using 25 to 40 mg/m(2) of docetaxel. Myelosuppression was mild, but fatigue was common and was the most common reason for dose reduction. In general, the planned dose intensity was equivalent to those used in standard three week schedules, and fatigue, asthenia, nail changes, excessive lacrimation (tearing), and fluid retention became more common with prolonged administration of docetaxel. Thus, weekly scheduling of docetaxel maintains efficacy and alters the toxicity profile, and the use of weekly docetaxel will become a promising alternative to three week dosing in the treatment of advanced breast cancer once randomized controlled studies confirm these results. However, there is still much to learn about the role of weekly docetaxel in adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy.

Weekly docetaxel as second-line therapy for patients with advanced breast cancer resistant to previous anthracycline treatment

This phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of weekly docetaxel as treatment of advanced metastatic breast cancer patients resistant to prior anthracycline chemotherapy. After the first 18 patients, the initial dose (40 mg/m2, 30-min i.v. infusion for 6 consecutive weeks, followed by 2-week rest) was reduced to 36 mg/m2 in the remaining 17 patients due to the incidence of toxicity (28% grade 3-4 asthenia). Overall response rate was 34% (95% CI, 19-50): two complete (6%) and ten partial responses (28%) were found. The median duration of response was 6.8 months, the median time to disease progression was 8.4 months, and the median overall survival was 13.6 months (median follow-up of 11.4 months). Neutropenia was the only severe hematologic toxicity (17% of patients), whereas asthenia, nail, ocular and skin disorders were the most common nonhematologic toxicities. Only one death during further follow-up was related to toxicity (caused by pulmonary fibrosis). In conclusion, we found weekly docetaxel to be an active and safe chemotherapy regimen for patients with metastatic breast resistant to previous anthracyclines. This weekly regimen caused minimal myelosupression, while retaining significant activity against advanced breast cancer. Both factors provide attractive possibilities for the development of combination therapies incorporating weekly docetaxel. Nevertheless, the number of patients receiving either dose (40 and 36 mg/m2) which we studied is low and our results require confirmation on larger groups of patients.

Weekly docetaxel in patients with pretreated metastatic breast cancer: a phase II trial

Docetaxel has consistently demonstrated its high activity as an antineoplastic agent in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. However, 90% of patients receiving the recommended dose of 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks will develop grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. Recent data suggest that the safety profile of a weekly docetaxel regimen compared favorably with the standard 3-week schedule. Thus, we initiated a phase II study to assess the efficacy and toxicity of weekly docetaxel in pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer. Twenty patients with advanced, anthra-cycline-refractory breast cancer were included in this phase II trial. Docetaxel was administered at a starting dose of 40 mg/m2, repeated once a week for 3 consecutive weeks followed by a 1-week rest period (1 cycle). Patients were evaluated for tumor response every 8 weeks (after every other cycle). Therapy was continued for a maximum of six courses in patients showing tumor response or stable disease. Twenty patients received a total of 204 weekly infusions of docetaxel. The mean number of treatments was 10.2 (range 1-18). Eighteen patients were assessable for response. Five patients achieved a partial response and six patients showed either stable disease or a minor response. Seven patients had disease progression. The median survival was 7.8 months. Grade 3/4 leukopenia occurred in two patients. No other grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicities were observed. The following grade 3/4 non-hematologic toxicities were seen: nausea/vomiting (one patient), infection (one patient), mucositis (two patients) and diarrhea (one patient). Three patients withdrew from the study due to dose-limiting toxicities (one due to severe neutropenia and two due to mucositis). We conclude that administration of docetaxel at a dose of 40 mg/m2 was effective and well tolerated even in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer. This regimen is associated with only mild myelosuppression.

Taxane-induced nail changes: incidence, clinical presentation and outcome

The clinical characteristics of nail changes in seven patients receiving taxane-containing chemotherapy are described. They include nail pigmentation, subungual hematoma, Beau's lines and onycholysis and subungual suppuration. The incidence of such changes (ranging from 0% to 44%) is reviewed from a Medline search of the literature.

Combination of taxanes and anthracyclines in first-line chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer: an interim report

Anthracyclines and taxanes are among the most effective agents in the treatment of advanced breast cancer, refractory or non-responsive to endocrine manipulation. Several recently published phase III studies have addressed the role of these compounds in combination compared with established chemotherapy regimens. This report considering a total of 4244 patients evaluates the data of those trials with respect to the efficacy and toxicity of the treatment regimens. Currently, evidence is growing that especially patients with symptomatic visceral tumour spread may benefit from the combined application of anthracyclines and taxanes. Adequately dosed polychemotherapy appears to be more successful than monotherapy, and, at present, the combination of anthracyclines (doxorubicin, epirubicin) and taxanes (docetaxel (Doc), paclitaxel (Pac)) might lead to a promising approach to improve the course of the metastatic disease.

A phase II study of dose-dense docetaxel and mitoxantrone in the treatment of patients with high-risk metastatic breast cancer

Doxetaxel (DCT) and mitoxantrone (MX) are highly active and potentially synergistic agents in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This pilot study evaluates the combination of dose-dense DCT and MX in patients with MBC to determine the efficacy and toxicity of this therapy. Thirty-six patients (56.1+/-1.7 years) were studied. The patients received DCT (35 mg/m(2) q1w) and MX (6 mg/m(2) q2w) for 6 weeks of an 8-week interval. Patients with tumor response or stable disease (SD) continued the treatment for a maximum of two additional periods. Hematologic and non-hematologic parameters were determined using the WHO common toxicity score. During this study 14 patients (40%) experienced partial response, 14 (40%) SD. In 20% of the cases the disease progressed on therapy. The treatment with DCT and MX was well tolerated. Seventeen patients (47%) experienced grade 3 leukopenia. Other hematologic and non-hematologic side effects did not exceed grade 2. One patient died during therapy because of a pulmonary embolism, which was unlikely related to active agents. Dose-dense DCT and MX combines both clinical activity and convenience for the patient. Therefore, we conclude that this regimen is a promising therapy in MBC, which warrants confirmation by large-scale clinical trials.

Which dosing scheme is suitable for the taxanes? An in vitro model

The discovery and development of the taxane class of antitumor compounds represent significant advances in the treatment of patients with a variety of malignancies. These drugs are effectively used in the treatment of breast cancer. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of fractionated usage of both paclitaxel and docetaxel as a single agent in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. It has been shown that the cytotoxic effect of paclitaxel was increased when the divided IC50 concentrations were used sequentially and in contrast to paclitaxel, cytotoxic effect of docetaxel was decreased with the same schema and the single dose of IC50 concentration was optimal. The cause of the difference between the cytotoxic effects of two agents with this schedule is obscure. Demonstrating mechanisms, which are responsible for these differences, will be important for more rational use of taxoids and to provide basis for the following clinical trials.

Combination chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer

Despite more than four decades of effort, the improvement in survival in metastatic breast cancer has been modest. Recently, however, new drugs such as the taxanes have emerged as pivotal agents in the treatment of metastatic disease and they are now being investigated in the adjuvant setting. In addition, the introduction of molecularly targeted therapies such as trastuzumab provides a new paradigm for the development of biologic treatments. The incorporation of trastuzumab into new combination regimens based on potential molecular synergies is a focus of current research.