Epirubicin In Treatment Research Articles

Effect of adding sequential docetaxel to neoadjuvant epirubicin in treatment of advanced breast cancer: Preliminary results of tumor response.

e12509Background: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and pathological response rates to anthracycline containing regimens with or without taxanes as neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) in women with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Methods: Patients diagnosed with LABC were included. A cohort received 4 cycles of FEC (5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 75 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2, respectively) every 3 weeks followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel (D) 75 mg/m2 as infusion intravenous (IV) every 3 weeks. Another cohort received 6 cycles of FEC (500 mg/m2, 100 mg/m2, 600 mg/m2, respectively). After the chemotherapy surgery was performed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in overall response rate (ORR: 78.5% vs 85%; P = 0.299) and clinical complete response (cCR: 20.6% vs 33.3%; P = 0.103) for 4FEC→4D compared to 6FEC, respectively. Instead, there was a statistically significant improved rate of pathological complete response (pCR: 30.2% vs 16.7%; P = 0.049) a...

Efficacy and tolerability of the combination of oxaliplatin, ifosfamide, and epirubicin in treatment of recurrent or platinum-resistant ovarian epithelial cancer patients

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the combination of oxaliplatin, ifosfamide and epirubicin (IAP) in treatment of recurrent or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients. A total of 25 patients received the combined chemotherapy of ifosfamide (3 - 4 g/m(2)), epirubicin (50 - 60 mg/m(2)) and oxaliplatin (130 mg/m(2)). The cycles were repeated every 21 days. The efficacy and toxicity were evaluated in 21 patients who received more than 2 cycles of IAP chemotherapy. The overall response rate was 71%, with a complete response in 10 (48%), partial response in 5 (24%), stable disease in one (5%), and disease progression in 5 (24%). The median progression-free and overall survival time were 11 (1 to 33) months and 31 (1 to 71) months. While overall response rate was 60% in 10 patients with primary platinum resistant, and 88% in 8 patients with secondary platinum-resistant. Grade III - IV myelosuppression rate was 30%. The most common non-hematologic toxicity was perineurotoxicity (38%). The combination of oxaliplatin, ifosfamide and epirubicin appears to be effective for recurrent or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients as salvage chemotherapy and the toxicity is also tolerable. However, it needs to be evaluated by multiple clinical trials.

Weekly Docetaxel and Epirubicin in Treatment of Advanced Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new regimen that combines weekly docetaxel and weekly epirubicin for the treatment of advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Methods Docetaxel 30 mg/m 2 and epirubicin 30 mg/m 2 were intravenously administered on a weekly basis, for a maximum of 24 cycles. The therapy was discontinued after the first 12 cycles in the patients who responded or had stable disease and was resumed as soon as any signs of progression were noted. Results Of the 38 evaluable patients, 26 achieved a confirmed greater than 50% decrease in prostate-specific antigen level (68.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 51.2% to 82.0%). The median response duration was 8.8 months (95% CI 6.2 to 11.8), and the median time to progression was 7.4 months (95% CI 5.6 to 9.6). Pain was rapidly reduced in 24 (72.7%, 95% CI 54.2 to 86.7) of the 33 patients who were symptomatic at baseline. Of the 38 patients, 21 resumed therapy after the planned interruption; of these, 3 had a prostate-specific antigen response (14.2%) and 12 had stable disease (57.1%). The regimen was well tolerated. Grade 3 neutropenia occurred in 15.7% of the patients, grade 3 anemia in 13.1%, and grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 7.8%. Conclusions The results of this study have suggested the feasibility and tolerability of the combination of weekly docetaxel and weekly epirubicin, which led to a rapid and long-lasting decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels and a palliative response in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Fludarabine Plus Epirubicin in Untreated or Minimal Pretreated Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia – Preliminary Results of a Phase-ll Study

<i>Background: </i>Fludarabine has been reported to be the most effective single agent in previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Based on in vitro synergism of fludarabine with anthracyclines and on results showing a higher efficacy of CHOP against COP it seems to be advisable to try a combination of fludarabine and an anthracycline to improve response rates as well as long-term results. Aim of the multicenter study was to evaluate the rate and duration of remissions and to examine toxicity and immunosuppressive effects of fludarabine and epirubicin in treatment of CLL in stages Binet B and C as first-line therapy or in first relapse. <i>Patients and Methods: </i>39 patients with CLL in stages Binet B or C or with leukemic immunocytoma were treated with fludarabine 25 mg/m² day 1-5 and epirubicin 25 mg/m² day 4+5, for a maximum of 6 cycles every 4 weeks. 39 patients entered the study, out of these 13 patients in first relapse. <i>Results: </i>So far 34 patients are evaluable for response. Overall response rate is 85% with a CR rate of 35%. For the 22 previously untreated patients the response rate is 95% (CR 45%, PR 50%) with only one patient achieving no response. Toxicity: Neutropenia grade 3 occurred in 24 of 122 evaluable cycles, grade 4 in 20 cycles. CD4 lymphocytes decreased in every case with a median of 1356/µl before treatment to 292/µl after cessation of therapy. Infections: 7 herpes zoster and 1 bacterial pneumonia. Other side effects were not observed. 9 patients relapsed to date after 8-23 months of remission. The median remission duration is 15+ months (5-25+ months). The long-term immunosuppressive effect and its consequences are not evaluable so far. <i>Conclusions: </i>The results so far show that the combination of fludarabine and epirubicin is highly effective in the treatment of CLL. Due to the addition of epirubicin to fludarabine it seems to be possible to reach a higher response rate and a more rapid response especially of nodal manifestations. Because of its mild toxicity the presented regimen can be administered in an outpatient facility with the exception of the first cycle. It is effective in untreated patients or in first relapse. To investigate a possible benefit of this presented combination regimen in the treatment of CLL in respect to response and progression-free survival a prospective randomized study comparing fludarabine monotherapy versus combination therapy of fludarabine and epirubicin has been initiated.