Effectiveness and Complications of Anthracycline and Taxane in the Therapy of Breast Cancer: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

To compare the efficacy and safety between anthracycline & taxane and anthracycline in the treatment of breast cancer. Computer-assisted literature search was performed with PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) to identify pertinent literatures. Software RevMan 5.0 was used for statistical analysis. The measurement of interest outcomes included severe neurotoxicity, death without breast cancer recurrences, leukemia, venous thrombus and severe cardiotoxicity. A total of 10 randomized controlled trial studies (RCTs) containing 18,198 cases were selected in this meta-analysis. Of which, 9,902 cases were treated with anthracycline & taxane and 8,296 cases treated with anthracycline alone as control. Anthracycline & taxane showed lower risks of incident leukemia (RR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.90), venous thrombus (RR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.84) and severe cardiotoxicity (RR = 0.41, 95%CI: 0.26, 0.66), but higher risks of incident severe neurotoxicity (RR = 5.97; 95% CI: 1.72, 20.65) and non-recurrent death (RR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.04), compared to anthracycline alone. Clinically important differences exist for general safety in favour of the anthracycline & taxane rather than anthracycline alone. However, as a result of tumor recurrent rate, anthracycline might be superior to anthracycline & taxane. A longer duration of follow-up and a larger number of cases are required to better assess the efficacy and safety profile of the treatment of breast cancer.