Network meta-analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer.

Abstract

e12071 Background: The NCCN recommends several adjuvant regimens for early stage breast cancer (ESBC) that have not been directly compared in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) making the optimal regimen unclear. Regimens of interest include dose dense doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (DDAC-T), doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by weekly paclitaxel (ACwkT), docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (TAC), and docetaxel/cyclophosphamide (TC) x 4 cycles. This is the first network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the effectiveness of these regimens. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed to identify RCTs that included the above regimens. To complete the network, doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC), doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (AC-T) every 3 wks, and doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (AC-D) every 3 wks were included. Primary outcomes were progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) estimated as odds ratios (OR). OR > 1 indicates better survival. Bayesian random effects model with non-informative priors was used. Results: 5 RCTs involving 12,579 females with mainly node positive, Her2- ESBC were analyzed. Although there were no statistically significant differences in PFS or OS among these regimens, AC-D, ACwkT, DDAC-T, TAC, and TC demonstrated better survival outcomes compared to AC and AC-T (not shown). Survival outcomes among DDAC-T, ACwkT, TAC, and TC were comparable. DDAC-T survival outcomes were marginally better than the other regimens. Conclusions: DDAC-T, ACwkT, TC, and TAC were similar in efficacy. Final results with at least one additional RCT will be presented. Although NMA is not a substitute for direct comparison RCTs, it allows indirect comparisons to aid in decision making. Future results from ongoing RCTs will refine estimates of anthracycline vs non anthracycline efficacy and toxicity. [Table: see text]