Gemcitabine in metastatic breast cancer

Abstract

10735 Background: Gemcitabine (GEM) has shown efficacy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We conducted studies with GEM-based regimens to assess the efficacy and toxicity of GEM combined with other drugs in MBC. GEM was combined with docetaxel (DXL) in pre-treated MBC with an anthracycline-based regimen and GEM was combined with doxorubicin (DXR) in chemonaive patients (pts) with MBC. The studies’ objectives were to show clinically relevant hematologic toxicity and response rates among pts treated with GEM-DXL either in combination in pre-treated pts with anthracycline regimen or GEM-DXR in chemonaive pts with MBC to assess the efficacy of GEM in MBC either in neoadjuvant or first-line treatment. Methods: For GEM-DXL: 42 pts were enrolled; GEM: 1250 mg /m2 D1 & D8, DXL: 75 mg /m2 D1, every 21 days with classical premedication for DXL. For GEM-DXR: 51 pts were enrolled; GEM: 1250 mg /m2 D1 & D 8, DXR: 25 mg/m2 D1 & D8, every 21 days. Results: See table below. In the GEM-DXR group, surgery was performed in 30 pts, and 13 (43.2%) had histologically complete response. The median TTP in this group was 13.3 months (range, 2–53). Conclusions: GEM in MBC is very efficient and produced an interesting objective response and clinical benefit. This activity is consistent in either chemonaive pts or in pts with relapsing breast cancer. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.