Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With a Combination of Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (Caelyx®) and Paclitaxel in Breast Cancer

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer;
• Age >18 years;
• Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2;
• measurable disease (as per radiological imaging); life
• expectancy >12 months;
• adequate haematologic blood profile;
• normal liver and kidney function;
• adequate cardiac function;
• no metastatic disease;
• negative pregnancy test (premenopausal women);
• signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Level 2 cardiac toxic effects were defined as asymptomatic systolic dysfunction (NYHA class I) or mildly symptomatic heart failure (NYHA class II) ;
• Previous treatment for breast cancer, including surgery, radiation, cytotoxic and endocrine treatments (except surgical diagnostic procedures);
• Active infection or other serious underlying medical or psychiatric condition which would impair the ability of the patient to receive protocol treatment;