TOXICITY OF WEEKLY LIPOSOMAL DOXORUBICIN AND PACLITAXEL IN METASTATIC BREAST CANCER (MBC): 24 MONTHS UPDATE

Aim: We evaluated the toxicity of weekly Liposomial-Doxorubicin (LD) and Paclitaxel (P) in patients (pts) with MBC and updated pts outcome after 24 months from the beginning of treatment. Materials and Methods: From December 2003 to March 2004, 15 consecutive pts with MBC received LD 25 mg/mq and P 50 mg/mq both i.v., d 1, 8, 15 q4w for 6 cycles (Group 1). From March 2004 to March 2005, 6 pts received same treatment (Group 2). Updated data referred to 15 pts. Cardiac function was assessed by ECG and FEV measurement at the beginning and after 6 cycles of treatment. Group 1 characteristics were previously described. Group 2 characteristics were: median age 60 (range 49Ð74), PS ECOG 0/1. Dominant sites of metastasis were: liver 1/6, lung 0/6, nodes 2/6, bone 0/ 6, brain 0/6, skin 0/6. A single metastatic site was present 3/6 (50%), two or >2 metastatic sites in 1/6. All pts received adjuvant chemotherapy, 5/6 pts received first line chemotherapy for advanced disease and 1/6 pts a second line chemotherapy 3/6 pts previously received antracycline-containing regimens. Results: Toxicity was assessed on a total of 55 courses in Group 1 and 23 in Group 2. Myelosuppression and alopecia were the most common adverse events in both groups. 24 months after treatment Group 1 is represented by: 5 R, 4 SD, 3 PD and 3 died for cancer. Any significant variation of ECG parameters and FEV has been detected. Conclusions: Updated data confirm that this combination has an acceptable toxicity profile in pts with MBC even months after chemotherapy especially for what concerns cardiac function.Alopecia is completely reversible and confined at the time of treatment.