AN INTERESTING STUDY

Oncology. 2009 Sep 4;77(3-4):212-216. [Epub ahead of print]

Related Articles, LinkOut

Weekly Docetaxel with or without Gemcitabine as Second-Line Chemotherapy in Paclitaxel-Pretreated Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Randomized Phase II Study Conducted by the Hellenic Co-Operative Oncology Group.

Papadimitriou CA, Kalofonos H, Zagouri F, Papakostas P, Bozas G, Makatsoris T, Dimopoulos MA, Fountzilas G.

Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.

Objective: A randomized phase II trial was conducted to test whether the addition of gemcitabine to weekly docetaxel could improve the objective response rate and survival outcomes as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer who have failed a paclitaxel-containing regimen. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either weekly docetaxel 40 mg/m(2) (group A, n = 34) or the combination of weekly docetaxel 35 mg/m(2) with gemcitabine 600 mg/m(2) (group B, n = 41). Three consecutive weekly infusions followed by a 1-week rest period represented 1 chemotherapy cycle. Results: The objective response rate was 18% and 27.5% in group A and B, respectively (p = 0.413). No statistically significant differences were demonstrated in terms of median overall survival and time to disease progression. The rate and grade 3 and 4 neutropenia were higher in group B (23 vs. 3%). Conclusions: The weekly administration of docetaxel and gemcitabine did not result in superior clinical outcomes over weekly docetaxel. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.