Impact of tumor biological factors on response to pre-operative epirubicin and paclitaxel chemotherapy in primary breast cancer.

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine the predictive impact of several established tumor biological factors (progesterone receptor, estrogene receptor, HER2/neu, and Ki-67) on response to pre-operative combination chemotherapy with epirubicin and paclitaxel in a representative group of primary breast cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-eight primary breast cancer patients (metastasis-negative) received pre-operative chemotherapy with epirubicin and paclitaxel. The response characteristics analyzed included pathological complete response and partial remission determined by 3D ultrasound, as well as down-staging and breast conserving surgery.

RESULTS

Pathologically complete response occurred in six patients. Overexpression of HER2/neu, low (negative) hormone receptors and high Ki-67 were all significant positive predictive factors for response to pre-operative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

HER2/neu overexpression is predictive for response not only to trastuzumab, but also to epirubicin and paclitaxel.