Efficacy of chemotherapy in metastatic male breast cancer patients: a retrospective study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The role of chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic male breast cancer patients remains unknown, and the only available evidence stem from small, retrospective series evaluating outdated drugs and/or regimens.

METHODS:

In this retrospective study we evaluated the activity of polychemotherapy, consisting of three-drug (anthracycline-containing and anthracycline-free) regimens, as a first-line therapy for metastatic male breast cancer patients who had received at least one prior endocrine therapy.

RESULTS:

Fifty patients treated between 1978 and 2013 were included in the present analysis. Regarding best response, we recorded 1 (2%) complete response and 27 (54%) partial responses, for an overall response rate of 56% (95% CI, 42.2-69.8). Considering stable disease, the disease control rate was 84%. Median progression-free survival was 7.2 months (95% CI, 5.9-8.5), and median overall survival was 14.2 months (95% CI, 12.2-16.2). Albeit we observed some differences for all the outcomes explored when comparing anthracycline-containing and anthracycline-free regimens, they were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS:

Chemotherapy, consisting in both anthracycline-containing and anthracycline-free regimens, showed encouraging antitumor activity in metastatic male breast cancer patients previously treated with endocrine therapy.

• Authors: Luigi Di Lauro, Laura Pizzuti, Maddalena Barba, Domenico Sergi, Isabella Sperduti, Marcella Mottolese, Pietro Del Medico, Franca Belli, Patrizia Vici, Ruggero De Maria, Marcello Maugeri-Saccà
• Journal: Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR (J Exp Clin Cancer Res) Vol. 34 Pg. 26 (Mar 21 2015) ISSN: 1756-9966 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25888204 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Breast Neoplasms, Male (drug therapy, metabolism, mortality, pathology)
• Humans
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult