Dose-tailoring of FEC adjuvant chemotherapy based on leukopenia is feasible and well tolerated. Toxicity and dose intensity in the Scandinavian Breast Group phase 3 adjuvant Trial SBG 2000-1

Acta Oncol. 2011 Apr;50(3):329-37. doi: 10.3109/0284186X.2011.554435. Epub 2011 Feb 8.

Abstract

The SBG 2000-1 trial is a randomised study that investigates if dose-tailored adjuvant FEC therapy based on the individual's leukocyte nadir value can improve outcome. The study has included 1535 women with medium and high-risk breast cancer.

Patients and methods: After a first standard dosed FEC course (5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m(2), epirubicin 60 mg/mg(2) and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2)), patients who did not reach leukopenia grade III or IV were randomised to standard doses (group standard) or doses tailored to achieve grade III leukopenia (group tailored) at courses 2-7. Patients who achieved leukopenia grade III or more after the first course were not randomised but continued on standard doses (group registered).

Results: Both planned and actually delivered number of courses (seven) were the same in all three arms. The relative dose intensity was increased by a factor of 1.31 (E 1.22, C 1.43) for patients in the tailored arm compared to the expected on standard dose. Ninety percent of the patients in the tailored arm achieved leukopenia grade III-IV compared with 29% among patients randomised to standard dosed therapy. Dose tailoring was associated with acceptable acute non-haematological toxicity with more total alopecia, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

Conclusion: Dose tailoring according to leukopenia was feasible. It led to an increased dose intensity and was associated with acceptable excess of acute non-haematological toxicity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma / surgery
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / methods
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Epirubicin / administration & dosage
  • Epirubicin / adverse effects
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Individuality
  • Leukopenia / chemically induced*
  • Leukopenia / epidemiology
  • Leukopenia / prevention & control
  • Mastectomy
  • Maximum Tolerated Dose
  • Middle Aged
  • Precision Medicine* / methods
  • Scandinavian and Nordic Countries
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Epirubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Fluorouracil

Supplementary concepts

  • FEC protocol