[Efficacy of biweekly paclitaxel therapy in advanced or recurrent breast cancer]

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a biweekly schedule of paclitaxel in advanced or recurrent breast cancer, 18 patients were enrolled in this pilot study. Paclitaxel of 120 mg/m2 was administered over 3 hours, and cycles were repeated every two weeks until disease progression or toxicity precluded further treatment. Patients received a median of 10 infusions with actual dose intensity of 55.9 mg/m2/wk, and median time to progression was 4.8 months. The overall response rate was 33.3%, and one patient achieved stable disease for at least 6 months. The responders included patients who received prior anthracycline and/or docetaxel treatment, and the response rate was consistent regardless of metastatic sites. Myelosuppression was the most common toxicity, and a few patients needed G-CSF support, treatment delay or dose reduction because of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia or leukopenia. Although one patient withdrew from this study because of grade 3 sensory disturbance, this regimen was generally well tolerated. A biweekly schedule of paclitaxel seems to be feasible and effective in patients with advanced or recurrent breast cancer.