[Prognostic analysis of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: a report of 120 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features and survival for patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (MTNBC), especially such a metastatic site as brain. METHODS: The clinical data and survival status of 120 cases of operable MTNBC treated at our hospital from January 2002 to December 2004 were collected. SPSS 13.0 software was used for statistic treatment. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: At the time of last follow-up, the median time after metastasis was 22 months. Nine deaths (65.8%) were recorded. In terms of all metastatic sites (initial + subsequent), lung (58.3%), liver (41.7%) and brain (40.8%) were most common sites. The patients with brain metastasis had a worse survival than those with non-brain metastases. Twenty-two (18.3%) patients were found to have brain metastasis at the time of first metastatic presentation. The initial metastatic site in patients with brain metastasis had a worse survival than those with non-brain metastases. The median survival time after metastasis was 8 and 31 months respectively (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Triple-negative breast cancer is associated with a poor survival after metastases. The patients with brain metastases have a worse survival than those with non-brain metastases. New treatment strategies are needed.

[Male breast cancer: a pairing comparison of survival with women breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinicopathological characteristics of male breast cancer patients and women breast cancer patients, compare disease-free survival and overall survival in a group of matched men and women with breast cancer. METHODS: The clinical data and survival status of 45 cases operable male breast cancer treated in our hospital from 1982.9 to 2006.12 were collected. Each man with breast cancer recorded in the database was matched with two women. Matching was done based on age, year of diagnosis, stage and pathology. SPSS16.0 software was used for statistic treatment. Chi-square test was used for the comparison of frequency data between groups. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to analyze survivals. And Log-Rank was used to compare curves between groups. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The 45 male breast cancer patients were matched with 90 female patients. The median age at diagnosis was 59 (26 ∼ 75) years for men and 57 (22 ∼ 76) years for women. The median follow-up was 61 (5 ∼ 262) months for men and 71 (29 ∼ 283) months for women. Mass location, receptor status, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy were statistically significant between male BC and female BC groups. About male BC patients, monofactorial analysis showed tumor size, lymph node state and TNM stage were prognostic factors. The 5-year disease-free survival of male BC and women BC were respectively 62.3% and 78.8%, 10-year DFS were 35.3% and 45.3%;The 5-year overall survival of male BC and female BC were respectively 70.5% and 82.5%, 10-year OS were 42.8%and 62.4%. CONCLUSIONS: After the matching of age, year of diagnosis, stage and pathology, the prognosis for men with breast carcinoma is significantly poor comparing with women. We should play more emphasize on early diagnosis and early therapy, and think highly of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy to improve the prognosis of male BC patients.

[Docetaxel and capecitabine combination chemotherapy for patients with anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of docetaxel and capecitabine combination chemotherapy (DC regimen) for patients with anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer were treated with a docetaxel and capecitabine combination regimen. All patients received oral administration of capecitabine at a dose of 1250 mg/m(2) twice daily, within 30 min after meal on D1 to D14, and intravenous infusion of docetaxel at a dose of 75 mg/m(2) on D1. The regimen was repeated every 3 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 126 cycles of DC regimen were administered in the 32 cases, with a median of 4 cycles. The overall response rate was 46.9%. Among the 32 patients, there were complete response in 1, partial response in 14, stable disease in 11 and progressive disease in 6 cases. The median time to progression (TTP) was 5.6 months. The one-year survival rate was 56.3%. The effective cases in different metastatic organs were: 8 cases in the lung, 6 cases in the liver, 3 cases in the soft tissue and 3 cases in the lymph nodes. The common adverse reactions were myelosuppression, hand-foot syndrome, nausea and vomiting. Neutropenia was observed in 84.4% of the patients. Two patients developed degree IV myelosuppression. CONCLUSION: The combination chemotherapy regimen of docetaxel plus capecitabine is well-tolerated and effective for anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer.

[Effects of exogenous ER beta expression on the cell growth properties of MCF-7 breast cancer cell line].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of exogenous ER beta on the growth of breast cancer MCF-7 cells under different treatment. METHODS: An eukaryotic expression vector containing 1.6 kb of human entire coding sequence of ER beta (pCDNA3-ER beta) was transfected into human breast cancer MCF-7 cells using lipofectamine 2000. The biological activity of ER beta was detected with the luciferase reporter containing estrogen responsive element (ERE) and the expression of ER beta protein by Western blot. The growth properties of MCF-7, pCDNA 3-transfected MCF-7 and pCDNA 3-ER beta-transfected MCF-7 cells under different treatment, including E2 (17beta-estradiol) and 4-OHT (4-hydroxytamoxifen), were observed. RESULTS: A stronger activation of the reporter by ER beta in the presence of E2 was observed in the pCDNA 3-ER beta-transfected MCF-7 cells than in the pCDNA 3-transfected MCF-7 and in MCF-7 cells. Western blot analysis showed that the protein level of ER beta in the pCDNA 3-ER beta-transfected MCF-7 cells was markedly increased. Exogenous ER beta expression did not change the growth properties and the morphology of MCF-7 cells under normal condition. The pCDNA 3-ER beta-transfected MCF-7 cells proliferated at the same rate as naive cells in the presence of 4-OHT, whereas a strong inhibition of the proliferation of the pCDNA 3-ER beta-transfected MCF-7 cells in the presence of E2 was observed. CONCLUSION: Exogenous ER beta expression does not increase the resistance to 4-OHT, and a strong inhibition of the proliferation may occur in the presence of E2.

[Relation of dose intensity and efficacy, toxicity in paclitaxel as a single agent for advanced breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation of dose intensity and efficacy, toxicity in advanced breast cancer treated with paclitaxel as a single agent. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with advanced breast cancer received paclitaxel as a single agent with different dose intensities. According to the phase I or phase II trial, the standard dose intensity of paclitaxel was defined as 58.3 mg.(m(2))(-1).week(-1). The dose of paclitaxel was 175 mg/m(2) given every three weeks, ranging 33.3 - 70.3 mg.(m(2))(-1).week(-1) [median delivered dose intensity 58.82 mg.(m(2))(-1).week(-1)]. Efficacy and toxicity was evaluated. RESULTS: The overall response rate in this group of advanced breast cancer was 40.8%. Responses were seen in lungs, soft tissue, bone and liver, with the response rates of 52.0%, 38.0%, 12.5%, 7.7%, respectively. When the relative dose intensity (RDI) was > 1.0, 0.9 - 1.0, < 0.9, the response rates were 44.2%, 47.6%, 0, respectively. The difference between the group (RDI >/= 0.9% - 1.0%) in 7 patients and the group (RDI < 0.9) was significant (P < 0.05). Toxicity was well tolerated, with the efficacy decreased as soon as the RDI had been reduced without embarrassing the toxicity. CONCLUSION: Paclitaxel as a single agent therapy with standard dose intensity is effective and well tolerated by patients with advanced breast cancer.