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Radiotherapy with concurrent docetaxel for advanced and recurrent breast cancer

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Abstract

Background

Docetaxel has shown remarkable radiosensitizing propertiesin vitro. In this study we investigated whether the addition of docetaxel to radiotherapy enhanced tumor response in patients with advanced or recurrent breast cancer.

Methods

A total of 35 patients were enrolled in this study. Docetaxel was administered concurrently during radiotherapy. Radiation doses were 54 to 69 Gy (median 60 Gy). In those enrolled through January 2000, docetaxel 40 mg/m2 was administered biweekly (once every two weeks), with subsequent dose adjustments based on tolerance and bone marrow and liver function. Beginning in February 2000, a weekly docetaxel schedule was used instead. This new regimen was based on data suggesting reduced myelosuppression with this regimen. The weekly dose rate was 20 mg/m2, with dose reductions for impaired organ function.

Results

All patients were evaluated for toxicity and response and a total of 40 irradiated sites were evaluated for local response. The overall response rate of irradiated sites was 95% and the CR rate was 68%. CR and PR were achieved in 40%, 37% of patients, respectively. Acute toxicities were tolerated by most patients: 17% had Grade 3-4 neutropenia, 6% had Grade 3-4 radiation dermatitis, and 3% had Grade 3-4 pneumonitis.

Conclusion

The combination of docetaxel with radiotherapy is an active and safe regimen in patients with inoperable advanced or recurrent breast cancer. We determined the recommended dose of docetaxel with concomitant radiotherpy to be 20 mg/m2 weekly for a Phase II study. Further study is necessary to assess the impact of this treatment on long-term outcome.

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Abbreviations

CR:

Complete response

PR:

Partial response

CT:

Computed tomography

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

SD:

Stable disease

PD:

Progressive disease

ns :

Number of site

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University School of Medicine, Japan

    Kumiko Karasawa, Kuniaki Katsui, Kaori Seki, Mari Kohno, Nahoko Hanyu, Sachiko Nasu, Hiroyuki Muramatsu, Katsuya Maebayashi & Norio Mitsuhashi

  2. Department of Radiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Japan

    Kumiko Karasawa

  3. Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Japan

    Kuniaki Katsui

  4. Department of Surgery, Tokyo Women’s Medical University Daini Hospital, Japan

    Shunsuke Haga

  5. Department of Surgery II, Tokyo Women’s Medical University School of Medicine, Japan

    Tsunehito Kimura

  6. Department of Surgery, Edogawa Hospital, Japan

    Isamu Takahashi

Authors
  1. Kumiko Karasawa
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  2. Kuniaki Katsui
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  3. Kaori Seki
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  4. Mari Kohno
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  5. Nahoko Hanyu
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  6. Sachiko Nasu
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  7. Hiroyuki Muramatsu
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  8. Katsuya Maebayashi
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  9. Norio Mitsuhashi
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  10. Shunsuke Haga
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  11. Tsunehito Kimura
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  12. Isamu Takahashi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kumiko Karasawa.

Additional information

Reprint requests to Kumiko Karasawa, Department of Radiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.

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Karasawa, K., Katsui, K., Seki, K. et al. Radiotherapy with concurrent docetaxel for advanced and recurrent breast cancer. Breast Cancer 10, 268–274 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02966728

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02966728

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