Vinorelbine, Epirubicin, and Methotrexate (VEM) as Primary Treatment in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

Abstract

Key Words. Locally advanced breast cancer · Pathological complete response · Conservative surgery · Downstaging ABSTRACTPurpose. This phase II trial of VEM (vinorelbine + epirubicine + methotrexate) in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer was conducted to obtain downstaging to allow surgery and breast conservation.Patients and Methods. This multicenter study recruited 58 patients with locally advanced breast cancer (two patients ineligible); 56 were evaluable for response and tolerance.Results. Downstaging was obtained in 77% of the patients with a pathological complete response (pCR) rate of 9%. At 33 months of follow-up, median survival has not been reached. Neutropenia grade 3-4 was reported in 31% of cycles with 3% of cycles with infection grade 3. Alopecia grade 3 was noticed for 71% of patients.Conclusion. VEM represents an effective regimen for patients with locally advanced breast cancer, allowing an important pCR. Moreover, this regimen appears to be particularly well tolerated.

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Multidisciplinary Therapy of Locally Far-Advanced or Inflammatory Breast Cancer with Fixed Perioperative Sequence of Epirubicin, Vinorelbine, and Fluorouracil Chemotherapy, Surgery, and Radiotherapy: Long-Term Results

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