Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Dose-dense chemotherapy (AC Q2×4→P Q2×4) is widely used in the adjuvant treatment of high-risk breast cancer patients. However, there is no direct comparison of dose-dense chemotherapy consisting of anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide every three weeks followed by weekly paclitaxel (AC Q3 × 4 → P W × 12) regimen. Moreover, when weekly paclitaxel is added to anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide, it is unknown whether or not dose-dense AC (AC Q2×4) is superior to conventional AC (AC Q3×4). The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of AC Q3 × 4 → P W × 12 regimen.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with breast cancer from 2013 to 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. The study included women who had histologically-involved lymph nodes (tumor stage T1, T2, or T3 and nodal stage N1, N2, or N3) or high-risk, axillary node-negative disease (T2 or T3, N0) without distant metastases.

RESULTS

This study included 150 patients with breast cancer. After a median follow up period of 31 months, 13 patients had developed distant metastases and 6 patients had died. The estimated 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 88.4% and 92%, respectively. Severe neutropenia (grade 3, 4) occurred in 38.6%of the patients whereas no severe cardiotoxicity was observed.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

AC Q3 × 4 → P W × 12 regimen is well-tolerated and effective in patients with node-positive or high-risk node-negative early-stage breast cancer.