In a nutshell
This paper examined the safety and effectiveness of carboplatin (Paraplatin) and paclitaxel (Taxol) in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin) in triple-negative breast cancer patients.
Some background
Triple-negative breast cancer describes cancer without the presence of the progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Triple-negative breast cancers tend to be faster growing than other types of breast cancers. No targeted drug has proven effective in this condition, so chemotherapy is predominantly used. However, it is suggested that chemotherapy medications such as platinum salts (like carboplatin) can improve effectiveness of treatment when added to a targeted drug.
Methods & findings
44 patients with triple-negative breast cancer received a combination of carboplatin, paclitaxel (both are forms of chemotherapy), and bevacizumab (a targeted drug) before their main surgical treatment. 84% of patients completed the whole treatment plan. Patients stopped treatment due to disease worsening and adverse events (undesired effect of treatment). Almost all patients underwent surgery, with 50% of patients receiving breast conserving surgery (removal of part of breast).
Overall, 65.9 % of patients had a had an objective response (decrease in tumour size). 50% of patients achieved an absence of residual invasive cancer cells in the lymph nodes (sites that breast cancer will initially spread to) in the breast and armpit area.
The most common adverse events not related to the blood were nausea, fatigue, disorders of the muscles and skeletal system, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, sensory neuropathy (damage to nerves), bleeding, and pain and ulcers in the mouth. 6 patients had high blood pressure. 12 patients had bleeding, mainly nosebleeds. 15 patients had neutropenia (low white blood cell levels).
The bottom line
The authors concluded that weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin plus bevacizumab given before surgery is active and safe in triple-negative breast cancer.
The fine print
There was a small number of patients studied.
What’s next?
Talk to your doctor about receiving paclitaxel and carboplatin plus bevacizumab.
Published By :
Annals of Surgical Oncology
Date :
Jan 09, 2015
