Epirubicin plus low-dose trastuzumab in HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer

Alessandra Gennari, Michele De Tursi, Consiglia Carella, Enrico Ricevuto, Cinzia Orlandini, Antonio Frassoldati, Pierfranco Conte, Paolo Bruzzi, Stefano Iacobelli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose This phase II study, evaluated the activity and cardiotoxicity of first-line epirubicin plus low-dose trastuzumab (LD-T) in patients with HER2 positive MBC. Methods Patients received epirubicin 90 mg/sqm every 3 weeks plus weekly LD-T (2 mg/kg loading dose, then 1 mg/kg). After 6/8 cycles of epirubicin, single agent trastuzumab was continued. Cardiotoxicity was defined as signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF), or ≥15% decline in LVEF without symptoms, or <15% LVEF decline to less than 50%, without symptoms. Results Forty-five patients were enrolled. Twenty-three received prior adjuvant anthracyclines. Overall response rate was 61.4%. The median time to progression was 7.4 months and the median survival was 32.8 months. Two (4.5%) patients developed CHF. Conclusions Epirubicin plus LD-T is an active regimen, however, the relatively high rate of cardiotoxicity together with the availability of less cardiotoxic and active trastuzumab-containing combinations precludes further evaluation of this regimen.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)131-136
Number of pages6
JournalBreast Cancer Research and Treatment
Volume115
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Epirubicin
  • Low-dose trastuzumab
  • Metastatic breast cancer

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