Nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin (nPLD) in neoadjuvant treatment of local advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients (pts)

Anthracycline is very effective in treatment of breast cancer, however it can cause cardiac toxicity events. nPLD has greater safety profile and comparable efficacy than conventional anthracyclines. We evaluated safety and efficacy, in neoadjuvant setting, of nPLD in pts with LABC. Methods: 11 pts (median age 57 years). Their clinical stage was: stages IIA and IIB 1 pt respectively, IIIB 7 pts, IIIC 2 pts. 8 pts presented at diagnosis with cT4 disease. All pts were treated with nPLD (50 mg/mq, d1q21) plus Docetaxel (75 mg/mq, d1q21) and Cyclophosphamide (500 mg/mq, d1q21); only 1 pt received Cyclophosphamide, nPLD and Trastuzumab. At beginning of therapy, overall population had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥55%. Results: After a median of 4 chemotherapy cycles, we observed following clinical response: stable disease 2 pts (18%); partial response 7 pts (64%); complete response 2 pts (18%). 9 pts were evaluable for radiological response: objective response rate and clinical benefit were 78 % and 100% respectively. 8 pts underwent surgery, in 3 pts was performed breast-conserving surgery. At the definitivehistological examination pathologic stage was: IA 4 pts (50%), IIIA 1 pts (12,5%), IIIB 2 pts (25%) and IIIC 1 pts (12,5%). 2 pts experienced cardiac toxicity: 1 pt had an atrial fibrillation G2 while 1 pt had an symptomatic decline of LVEF G3 after first cycle, causing interruption of treatment. Other pts not showed clinically significant reduction of LVEF (>5%). Conclusions: Despite small number of pts, our experience suggests a safety profile and efficacy of nPLD in neoadjuvant settings for LABC; breast conservation was possible in 3 pts, in other pts (73%) this was not possible mainly for the advanced stage (T4).