Paclitaxel plus doxorubicin as first-line treatment for breast cancer?

Abstract

Paclitaxel in combination with doxorubicin significantly prolongs median time to disease progression in patients with metastatic breast cancer, according to the results of a multinational phase III study. ¹ The combination also improves overall survival. The study, which was presented at the 10th European Conference on Clinical Oncology [ Vienna, Austria; September 1999 ] compared the paclitaxel and doxorubicin combination with fluorouracil plus doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (FAC), which is considered to be standard first-line therapy for women with metastatic disease. Patients who received paclitaxel plus doxorubicin had a significantly longer time to disease progression, greater response to treatment and improved overall survival duration, compared with patients who received FAC. Leading investigators from the trial say that the paclitaxel regimen is superior to the FAC regimen, and warrants immediate further development.