RESUMO
BACKGROUND: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the efficacy of docetaxel and vinorelbine combination in well-defined anthracycline-'exposed' or -'resistant' advanced breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A phase II trial was carried out enrolling 43 advanced breast cancer patients, all previously treated with anthracyclines, both in an adjuvant or advanced setting. Docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) as 1-hour infusion and vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) as 30-min infusion were administered on day 1, every 3 weeks. RESULTS: According to an intent-to-treat analysis, the response rate was 37.2% (95% CI 22.8-51.6) in 43 patients, whereas responses were observed in 16 (1 complete response, 15 partial response) out of 39 evaluable patients (41%, 95% CI 25.6-56.5); there were 50% with first-line and 33% with second-line therapy, and 50 and 29% of patients were considered anthracycline 'exposed' and 'resistant', respectively; responses by estrogen receptor (ER) status were given in 48% (ER positive) and 25% (ER negative), and by HER2 status, in 21% (HER2 positive) and 52% (HER2 negative). Median time to progression and median overall survival were 7.7 and 28.7 months, respectively. Toxicity was generally acceptable, with grade 3 neutropenia encountered in 15 (35%) patients and grade 4 neutropenia in 1 (2%) patient. Neutropenic fever occurred in 7 patients (16%), usually short-lasting. Grade 3 mucositis was encountered in 2 patients (5%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of docetaxel and vinorelbine as a 3-weekly schedule is active and manageable in advanced breast cancer patients previously treated with anthracyclines.