Concurrent weekly taxane (T) and radiation therapy (RT) in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer (BrCa)

Abstract

858 Background: High-risk BrCa pts receive adriamycin(A) + cyclophosphamide(C) followed by a T given every 3 wks × 4 followed by radiation therapy (RT). RT is started after completion of all chemotherapy, a delay of 3 months. A delay of RT has been shown in studies to increase the risk of recurrence. T is suggested to act as radiosensitisers. In the case of wkly T administration, the cellular cytokinetic considerations imply that frequent exposure to cytotoxic agents with brief intervals between exposures affords less opportunity for the emergence and regrowth of drug-resistant cell clones. The purpose of this study was to analyze the skin and pulmonary toxicity of concurrent weekly T and RT in BrCa pts. Methods: Between 1998 and 2002, 51 pts with BrCa (Stage II=40,Stage III=10,Stage IV=1) underwent lumpectomy plus axillary LN dissection or MRM. Then they received A + C every 3 wks × 4 followed by either Paclitaxel (P)(80 mg/m2/wk) or Docetaxel (D)(30 mg/m2/wk) every wk with concurrent RT 5 days/wk for 6 ...