[A case of stage IV breast cancer with long-term partial response treated with tri-weekly paclitaxel plus bevacizumab].

ABSTRACT

Paclitaxel combined with bevacizumab yields significantly better progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with metastatic breast cancer than paclitaxel alone. Here, we report a case of stage IV breast cancer with multiple liver, lung, and bone metastases maintaining a long-term partial response (PR) with tri-weekly paclitaxel plus bevacizumab administration. A 46- year-old woman treated with endocrine therapy for 21 months for multiple metastases in her lungs and bones detected 4 years after surgery for left breast cancer was referred to our hospital. New metastases were discovered in her liver. She received paclitaxel (l 90 mg/m/(2)) on days 1, 8, and 15 combined with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) on days 1 and 15 every 4 weeks. However, during the first 3 courses, the administration of paclitaxel on day 8 was postponed to 1 to 2 weeks because of severe neutropenia. We began tri-weekly administration of paclitaxel plus bevacizumab. She continued receiving the treatment for about 1 year, without severe side effects. The PR state with good performance status was maintained. We suggest that the tri-weekly administration of paclitaxel plus bevacizumab is an effective way to maintain long-term efficacy.