Pilot study of docetaxel combined with lobaplatin or gemcitabine for recurrent and metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of docetaxel combined with lobaplatin, relative to docetaxel combined with gemcitabine, for treating patients with recurrent metastatic breast cancer (rMBC). METHODS: Patients with rMBC received ≥2 cycles (21 days each) of either docetaxel and lobaplatin (DL; n = 21), or docetaxel and gemcitabine (DG; n = 22). On day 1 of each cycle, all patients were given 75 mg/m(2) intravenous docetaxel. Patients in DL and DG were also given, respectively, 35 mg/m(2) intravenous lobaplatin (day 2) or 1000 mg/m(2) intravenous gemcitabine (days 1, 8). RESULTS: Five (11.6%) and 16 (37.2%) patients achieved complete remission and partial response, respectively; rates of response and disease control were 48.8%. The response rates of the groups were comparable (47.6%, 50.0%). The median survival times after relapse and metastasis of the DL group (18 months) were significantly less than that of the DG group (25 months). Median progression-free survivals after relapse and metastasis were similar (12 cf. 14 months). The main toxic side reaction was grade 2, with no treatment-related deaths. Rates of the following were comparable between DG and DL: grade 3 or 4 white blood cells (23.8%, 31.8%) and digestive tract toxicity (4.8%, 4.5%); neutropenia (28.6%, 22.7%); anemia (4.8%, nil); and thrombocytopenia (19.0%, 13.6%). Other toxicities included hepatic toxicity, myalgia, infection, and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Both the DL and DG regimens were associated with encouraging benefits, while treatment-related toxicity was manageable. Therefore, these regimens are effective options for treatment of rMBC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This clinical trial study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Guizhou Cancer Hospital, and has been registered in the China Clinical Trial Center (December 8, 2014, No. ChiCTR-IPR-14005633).