Paclitaxel and cisplantin in the second-line treatment of advanced breast carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy of paclitaxel (PTX) combined with cisplantin (DDP) for advanced breast cancer, including anthracycline-resistant advanced breast cancer (ABC). Methods: 57 patients with ABC(including 26 patients with anthracycline-resistant ABC) were treated with combination chemotherapy of PTX and DDP. PTX 175 mg/m². DDP 70 mg/m² were used on day 1 every three weeks. The median number of cycles was 3. Results: The overall response rate was 52.6% with a median time to progression of 7 months. One-year survival rate was 61.4%. The response rate in 26 patients with anthracycline-resistant ABC was 61.5%. Patients with good performance statue have higher response rate than those with bad performance statue. The main side effects were gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicities. Conclusion: Paclitaxel and cisplantin combination is active in the treatment for ABC expecially for anthracycline-resistant ABC patients with acceptabale toxicity, and may be a therapeutic alternative after anthracycline regimen has faild.