Infusional fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cisplatin followed by weekly paclitaxel plus bevacizumab in locally advanced breast cancer with unfavorable prognostic features

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and biological activities of bevacizumab in combination with preoperative anthracyclines and taxane-based chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer selected for unfavorable prognostic features. Patients with cT2-4c, cN0-2, estrogen and progesterone receptors less than 10% of the cells or cT4d and any estrogen/progesterone receptors expression received four courses of ECF-chemotherapy (epirubicin, cisplatin, fluorouracil as continuous infusion) followed by three courses of weekly paclitaxel in combination with bevacizumab. Thirty patients were included in the study. An objective response, either complete or partial, was observed in 26 patients (87%; 95% confidence interval: 69-96%), stable disease was observed in two patients (7%), and two patients (7%) progressed. A pathological complete response was obtained in 10 patients (33%; 95% confidence interval: 17-53%). Side effects related to bevacizumab with grade ≥ 2 included headache and hypertension. A nonstatistical significant decrease in the median value of circulating endothelial cells was observed at surgery (3.0/μl vs. 5.7/μl, P=0.19). In conclusion, high rates of both clinical and pathological responses with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy followed by weekly paclitaxel plus bevacizumab were observed in locally advanced breast cancer with unfavorable prognostic features. A non-negligible rate of progressive disease was observed, suggesting careful monitoring of the patients. Further studies evaluating the potential benefit of bevacizumab in neoadjuvant treatment need to be tested.