Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy of Primary Breast Cancer With Epirubicin/Docetaxel and Carboplatin/Docetaxel

Most of the women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are in the situation that an operation is possible. Using a neoadjuvant therapy the rate of breast-conserving surgery can be extended and tumor cell proliferation may be inhibited. Further the neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an in-vivo-activity-test for the used drugs. Epirubicin, Docetaxel and Carboplatin have shown antineoplastic activity against solid cancer alone and in combination.

Using two different combinations of these three drugs, first 3 cycles Epirubicin/Docetaxel and then changing to Carboplatin/Docetaxel for 3 further cycles it is assumed that the results of the therapy will improve. Main criterion is the determination of pCR, second criteria are the rate of breast-conserving surgery, tumor response and therapy-dependent toxicities.

Inclusion criteria

• histologically assured breast cancer
• age >= 18 years
• bone marrow function: neutrophils >= 1.5x109/l, platelets >= 100x109/l, hemoglobin >=6.2 mmol/l
• sufficient renal and liver function
• ECOG 0-2
• written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• pregnant or nursing women
• distant metastases
• T2-Tumour < 3cm and G1
• existing motoric or sensoric neurotoxicity > Grade 2
• known hypersensitivity against Epirubicin or other anthracycline or against Carboplatin or other platin derivatives or against Docetaxel or against substances in the preparing solutions