Epirubicin/Cyclophosphamide followed by Docetaxel as Primary Systemic Therapy in Breast Cancer

–Phase II study, Final analysis–

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of EC (epirubicin/cyclophosphamide) followed by docetaxel (DTX) as primary systemic therapy in locally advanced breast cancer. We previously reported the pathological and objective responses of this study. Another follow-up period of 5 years (5-y) has passed, and the 5-y overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates have been determined.
Patients and Methods: Patients of the T2-4 (＞3 cm) or N1-3 were included. Patients received E (90 mg/m²) and C (600 mg/m²) for 4 cycles followed by DTX (70 mg/m²) for 4 cycles.
Results: Overall (n=46), 5-y OS was 93.2% and 5-y RFS was 72.9%. In subgroup analysis, 5-y OS and RFS were 96.4% and 70.6% in luminal, 100% and 50% in luminal-HER2, 71.4% and 57.1% in HER2, 100% and 100% in triple negative.
Conclusion: This treatment provides survival benefit especially for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.