Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by weekly docetaxel as neoadjuvant treatment of early breast cancer: analysis of biological markers in a GEICAM phase II study

To evaluate the sequential administration of doxorubicin (A) and cyclophosphamide (C) followed by weekly docetaxel in women with stage II to IIIA breast cancer.Patients received 60 mg/m(2) of A and 600 mg/m(2) of C every three weeks for four cycles followed by 12 infusions of weekly docetaxel at a dose of 36 mg/m(2) and with a 2-week resting period.Sixty-three women were included. On an intention-to- treat basis, clinical response rate was 90% (95% CI: 83-98), with 46% complete responses. Breast-conserving surgery could be performed in 43 patients (68%). Complete pathological responses in the breast were confirmed in 17% of patients. No correlations between levels of expression of topoisomerase II alpha, survivin or p27 and the pathological response were detected. The study treatment was generally well tolerated.Neoadjuvant AC followed by weekly docetaxel is a feasible regimen for patients with early-stage breast cancer.