Y. Shigeoka et al., Clinical effect of irinotecan in advanced and metastatic breast cancer patients previously treated with doxorubicin- and docetaxel-containing regimens, JPN J CLIN, 31(8), 2001, pp. 370-374
Background: Previous phase II trials in Japan suggested that irinotecan was
a promising agent for advanced or metastatic breast cancer pretreated with
anthracycline. However, irinotecan has not yet been evaluated in the salva
ge setting for breast cancer pretreated with both anthracycline and taxane,
which are two active agents for breast cancer.
Methods: The efficacy and safety of irinotecan were retrospectively evaluat
ed in patients with breast cancer who had previously been treated with both
doxorubicin and docetaxel. From 1996 to 1999, irinotecan was administered
to 20 patients, all with a performance status of <2. Irinotecan treatment w
as repeated in similar to6 week cycles consisting of the administration of
irinotecan once weekly for 4 weeks followed by a 2 week rest. The median do
se of irinotecan administered was 100 mg/m(2) weekly. The median number of
irinotecan cycles given was 1 (range: 1-8 cycles). The median total dose wa
s 388 mg/m(2) (range: 50-2400 mg/m(2)).
Results: Performance status declined to >3 after treatment with irinotecan
in four patients. Two patients had grade 3 leukopenia; three had grade 3 an
emia and one had a creatinine elevation of grade 4. The objective response
rate for all patients was 5.0% (95% Cl: 0-15.5%). The median time to progre
ssion and overall survival were 35 days (range: 17-285 days) and 124 days (
range: 17-667 days), respectively, since the start of the administration of
irinotecan.
Conclusions: Salvage chemotherapy with irinotecan may be inactive against a
dvanced and metastatic breast cancer pretreated wi th doxorubicin and docet
axel. We will evaluate irinotecan for advanced and metastatic breast cancer
patients as first- or second-line chemotherapy combined with anthracycline
or taxane.