Gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC): A salvage regimen for breast cancer patients who failed anthracycline and/or taxanes

Abstract

757 Background: GC has demonstrated safety and efficacy in both heavily and minimally pretreated advanced breast cancer (BC) with response rate from 29%–63% (median 46%). All of studies had different schedule and dose of GC. We evaluated the activity and toxicity of another GC regimen in BC patients who failed chemotherapy with anthracycline and/or Taxanes as adjuvant or neoadjuvant or primary therapy. Methods: 30 BC patients who failed Anthracycline and/or Taxanes-based therapy, had measurable disease and a performance status 0–2 were recruited, of whom 29 were evaluable for response. Patients received Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 over 1-hour infusion on day 1 and 8 and Cisplatin 75 mg/m2 over 2-hour infusion on day 1 every 3 weeks up to 6 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: After a median follow up of 6 month (range: 2–16). Of 30 patients, there were 29 female and 1 male, median age 45 years (24–65). 22 of patients (73%) were metastatic breast cancer, 6 (20%) were locally advanced breast cancer, 2 (7%) were locoregional recurrent. Prior treatment included up to 3 prior regimens: anthracyclines (27 patients), taxane (11 patients). A total of 106 cycles were administered (median 4 cycles per patients). Overall response rate was 51%, 1 achieved complete response (3%), 14 (48%) had partial response. There were 10 (35%) stable disease and 4 (14%) progression disease. The median time to disease progression was 8.1 months (2–10.8). The median time to response was 4 weeks (3–15). The median survival time was 11.8 months. Myelosuppresion was the most frequent side effect; grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 17%, grade 3/4 neutropenia in 37%. Grade 3 Nausea-vomiting was found in 12% of cycles. There were no treatment related death. Treatment delays or omission due to hematotoxicity and renal toxicity in 7% and 6% of cycles. Conclusions: This schedule of GC proved clinical efficacy in salvage treatment in anthracycline and/or taxane pretreated breast cancer with manageable toxicity. No significant financial relationships to disclose.