Single agent weekly paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer: a feasibility study

To study the toxicity profile and response rates of weekly paclitaxel given as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.

The study was planned as a single arm, prospective phase II study. Twenty-six patients with locally advanced breast cancer were enrolled in the study from December 2006 to October 2007. These patients underwent NACT with weekly paclitaxel at 100 mg/m(2) for 8 consecutive weeks followed by surgery. This was followed by anthracycline-based chemotherapy for three to four cycles followed by radiation. The patients received standard adjuvant hormonal therapy. The patients were carefully monitored for side-effects using common toxicity criteria. The clinical and pathological response rates were documented. The response rates were descriptively stated.

The median age of the patients was 52 years (30-67 years) and the median tumour size was 7 cm (2.5-15 cm). Of the 208 planned weekly cycles, 207 could be given. The rates of grade 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and neuropathy were 4, 12 and 4%, respectively. A complete clinical response was observed in 10 patients (38.5%) and a completed pathological response, defined as the absence of invasive cancer from the breast and axillary nodes, was seen in 11.5% of patients. Breast-conserving surgery was possible in 23% of patients.

The regimen of weekly single agent paclitaxel is feasible in patients with locally advanced breast cancer with acceptable toxicity. It resulted in a pathological response rate that was comparable with other regimens in this group of advanced stage patients. Considering the efficacy and low toxicity of this regimen, it is worth exploring in larger studies.