Abstract:

Objective

To compare the efficacy and side effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with TE and CEF regimens in the treatment of breast cancer and their correlations with histological and pathological status,and to investigate the effect of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the expressions of ER,PR,HER-2 and P53 in breast cancer.

Methods

From January 2001 to December 2006,a total of 423 patients with clinical stage Ⅱ-Ⅲbreast cancer were admitted in Tianjin Cancer Hospital; among them 167 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with TE regimen in one group,and 256 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with CEF regimen in the other group.Patients in both groups received neoadjuvant chemotherapy at a interval of 21 days for at least 3 cycles.Clinical response and side effects were assessed in both groups.

Results

For primary breast carcinoma,the overall response rate (RR) was 86%(144/167)in TE arm and 67%(172/256) in CEF arm (P ＜0.01),and clinical complete response rate (cCR) was 32%(54/167)in TE arm and 23% (59/256) in CEF arm (P ＜0.05),and pathologic complete response rate(pCR) was 19%(32/167)in TE arm and 14% (36/256)in CEF arm (P ＞0.05).There were two patients with progressing disease (PD) in each group. The major toxicities,including leucopenia and gastroenteric reactions were similar in both groups,but alopecia was more severe in TE arm. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy could not significantly change the expressions of ER,PR,HER-2 and P53.

Conclusions

TE and CEF regimens as neoadjuvant chemotherapy are both effective and safe for primary breast cancer. TE regimen is superior to CEF regimen in response rate, and side effects are all tolerable,but more alopecia occurred in TE arm.The effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the expression of ER,PR,HER-2,and P53 are not obvious.

Key words: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, TE, CEF