Abstract

Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin play a central role in the management of advanced breast cancer. Unfortunately, the clinical benefits of anthracyclines are limited by cardiotoxicity that can lead to the development of potentially fatal congestive heart failure. In order to limit anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity, liposomal formulations of doxorubicin have been developed. This retrospective analysis evaluated the experience obtained with non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin as first-line therapy in 34 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Patients received non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in combination with either cyclophosphamide (n = 14) or docetaxel (n = 20) for up to eight cycles, and efficacy and safety were assessed according to standard criteria. The overall response rate was 71%. The median progression-free survival was 8 months in patients receiving non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide and 13.8 months in those receiving non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus docetaxel (P = 0.2). The most commonly observed toxicities were grade 1-2 leucopenia, alopecia, nausea and vomiting; no grade 3-4 toxicities were observed. Overall, three patients (9%) experienced grade 1 cardiac toxicity. Our results support the use of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin as an alternative to conventional doxorubicin formulations in combination regimens for the first-line therapy of metastatic breast cancer.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.