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EC Followed Docetaxel Versus ET Followed Capecitabine as Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Node Positive Operable Breast Cancer

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Breast Cancer
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT00129935
Lead Sponsor
Spanish Breast Cancer Research Group
Brief Summary

This is a prospective, randomised phase III trial, to compare the efficacy and safety profiles of two types of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative, node positive breast cancer patients.

Control Arm: This includes 4 cycles of EC 90/600 mg/m2 day 1 every 3 weeks, followed by 4 cycles of T 100 mg/m2 day 1 every 3 weeks.

Experimental Arm: This includes 4 cycles of ET 90/75 mg/m2, day 1 every 3 weeks, followed by 4 cycles of capecitabine 1250 mg/m2, twice a day, via oral intake, for 14 days, and then a one-week rest period.

Premenopausal women with hormone receptor positive tumours must receive 5 years of tamoxifen after the end of chemotherapy.

Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive tumours can receive tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (or both) after the end of chemotherapy.

Patients may receive radiotherapy when clinically indicated.

Detailed Description

Estimation of the 5-year disease-free survival in the control arm is 72%. The experimental arm is expected to increase the 5-year disease-free survival by 7% (up to 79%). With an alpha error of 0.05 and 80% power, 592 patients per arm are needed. Assuming a 17% post-randomization drop-out, 691 patients per arm are needed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
1384
Inclusion Criteria
  • Written informed consent.

  • Histological diagnosis of operable invasive adenocarcinoma of the breast (T1-T3). Tumours must be HER2 negative. Time window between surgery and study randomization must be less than 60 days.

  • Surgery must consist of mastectomy or conservative surgery with axillary lymph node dissection. Margins free of disease and ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) are required. Lobular carcinoma is not considered a positive margin.

  • Positive axillary lymph nodes defined as at least 1 out of 10 nodes with presence of disease. If sentinel node technique is used, sentinel node can be the only node affected. Patients belonging to the following classifications are eligible: TNM pathologic stage N1a, TNM pathologic stage N2a, TNM pathologic stage N3a.

  • Status of hormone receptors in primary tumour. Results must be available before the end of adjuvant chemotherapy.

  • Patients must not present evidence of metastatic disease. Status of HER2 in primary tumour, known before randomization. Patients with immune histochemistry (IHC) 0 or +1 are eligible. For patients with IHC 2+, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is mandatory and result must be negative.

  • Age >= 18 and <= 70 years old.

  • Performance status (Karnofsky index) >= 80.

  • Normal electrocardiogram (EKG) in the 12 weeks prior to randomization. If needed, normal cardiac function must be confirmed by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

  • Laboratory results (within 14 days prior to randomization):

    • Hematology: neutrophils >= 1.5 x 10^9/l; platelets >= 100 x 10^9/l; hemoglobin >= 10 mg/dl;
    • Hepatic function: total bilirubin <= 1 upper normal limit (UNL); serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) <= 2.5 UNL; alkaline phosphatase <= 2.5 UNL. If values of SGOT and SGPT > 1.5 UNL are associated to alkaline phosphatase > 2.5 UNL, patient is not eligible;
    • Renal function: creatinine <= 175 mmol/l (2 mg/dl); creatinine clearance >= 60 ml/min;
    • Pharmacogenetics: one blood sample is needed for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assessment.
  • Complete stage workup during the 12 weeks prior to randomization (mammograms are allowed within a 20 week window). All patients must have a bilateral mammogram, thorax x-ray, abdominal echography and/or computed tomography (CT)-scan. If bone pain, and/or alkaline phosphatase elevation, a bone scintigraphy is mandatory. This test is recommended for all patients. Other tests: as clinically indicated.

  • Patients able to comply with treatment and study follow-up.

  • Negative pregnancy test done in the 14 prior days to randomization.

Exclusion Criteria
  • Prior systemic therapy for breast cancer.
  • Prior therapy with anthracyclines or taxanes (paclitaxel or docetaxel) for any malignancy.
  • Prior radiotherapy for breast cancer.
  • Bilateral invasive breast cancer.
  • Pregnant or lactating women. Adequate contraceptive methods must be used during chemotherapy and hormone therapy treatments.
  • Any T4 or M1 tumour.
  • Axillary lymph nodes: patients belonging to the following classifications are excluded: TNM pathologic stage N1b, TNM pathologic stage N1c, TNM pathologic stage N2b, TNM pathologic stage N3b, TNM pathologic stage N3c.
  • HER2 positive breast cancer (IHC 3+ or positive FISH result).
  • Pre-existing grade >= 2 motor or sensorial neurotoxicity (National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.0 [NCICTC v-2.0]).
  • Any other serious medical pathology, such as congestive heart failure; unstable angina; history of myocardial infarction during the previous year; uncontrolled hypertension or high risk arrhythmias.
  • History of neurological or psychiatric disorders, which could preclude the patients from free informed consent.
  • Active uncontrolled infection.
  • Active peptic ulcer; unstable diabetes mellitus.
  • Previous or current history of neoplasms different from breast cancer, except for skin carcinoma, cervical in situ carcinoma, or any other tumour curatively treated and without recurrence in the last 10 years; ductal in situ carcinoma in the same breast; lobular in situ carcinoma.
  • Chronic treatment with corticosteroids.
  • Contraindications for corticosteroid administration.
  • Concomitant treatment with raloxifene, tamoxifen or other selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), either for osteoporosis treatment or for prevention. These treatments must stop before randomisation.
  • Concomitant treatment with other investigational products; participation in other clinical trials with a non-marketed drug in the 20 previous days before randomization.
  • Concomitant treatment with another therapy for cancer.
  • Males.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Arm A: EC-TCyclophosphamideEpirubicin with cyclophosphamide, followed by docetaxel (EC-T): Epirubicin 90 mg/ m2 in combination with cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 (EC) every 21 days for 4 cycles, followed by docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (T) every 21 days for 4 cycles.
Arm A: EC-TDocetaxelEpirubicin with cyclophosphamide, followed by docetaxel (EC-T): Epirubicin 90 mg/ m2 in combination with cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 (EC) every 21 days for 4 cycles, followed by docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (T) every 21 days for 4 cycles.
Arm A: EC-TEpirubicinEpirubicin with cyclophosphamide, followed by docetaxel (EC-T): Epirubicin 90 mg/ m2 in combination with cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 (EC) every 21 days for 4 cycles, followed by docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (T) every 21 days for 4 cycles.
Arm B: ET-XDocetaxelEpirubicin and docetaxel followed by capecitabine (ET-X):Epirubicin 90 mg/m2 and docetaxel 75 mg/ m2 (ET) every 21 days for 4 cycles, followed by capecitabine 1,250 mg/m2 bid for 14 days, followed by a 7-day rest for 4 cycles.
Arm B: ET-XCapecitabineEpirubicin and docetaxel followed by capecitabine (ET-X):Epirubicin 90 mg/m2 and docetaxel 75 mg/ m2 (ET) every 21 days for 4 cycles, followed by capecitabine 1,250 mg/m2 bid for 14 days, followed by a 7-day rest for 4 cycles.
Arm B: ET-XEpirubicinEpirubicin and docetaxel followed by capecitabine (ET-X):Epirubicin 90 mg/m2 and docetaxel 75 mg/ m2 (ET) every 21 days for 4 cycles, followed by capecitabine 1,250 mg/m2 bid for 14 days, followed by a 7-day rest for 4 cycles.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of Participants With Disease-free Survival (DFS) Event5 years

A participant was considered to have had a DFS event if there was evidence of local, regional or metastatic recurrence, second primary cancer (with the exception of carcinoma of squamous cells or basal cells of the skin, cervical carcinoma in situ or lobular or ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast) or death for any reason.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of Participants With Overall Survival (OS) EventUp to 5 years

A participant was considered to have had a OS event if patient died from any cause.

Quality of Life Questionnaire: Time to Taking Off the WigUp to 30 months

Time to taking off the wig was assessed by a specific Hair Toxicity Questionnaire were patients answered when they stop to use the wig.

The questionnaire was evaluated up to two years after the end of chemotherapy.

The Number of Participants Who Experienced Adverse Events (AE)5 years

Safety was assessed by standard clinical and laboratory tests, and were evaluated using NCI-CTC criteria v2.0

Quality of Life Questionnaire: Number of Participants With Hair LossUp to 24 months

Hair loss was assessed by the quality of life of the patients through the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Breast Cancer 23 (EORTC QLQ-BR23) profile questionnaire, question 4. The quality of life of the patients was evaluated before each cycle and at the end of treatment.

In questionnaire, raw scores range from 0 to 100 and a high score represents a high level of functioning or Health Related Quality of Life, excluding single-item scales in which high scores represent a high level of symptoms. A difference of 10 points on the scale over baseline value was classified as the minimum clinically meaningful change in both questionnaires.

Quality of Life Questionnaire: Number of Participants With Hair Loss RecoveryUp to 30 months

Hair Loss Recovery was assessed by a specific Hair Toxicity Questionnaire were patients answered if the hair was less abundant than before, weaker than before or other.

The questionnaire was evaluated up to two years after the end of chemotherapy.

Trial Locations

Locations (58)

Hospital Arquitecto Marcide

🇪🇸

Ferrol, A Coruña, Spain

Hospital General Universitario de Elche

🇪🇸

Elche, Alicante, Spain

Hospital General Universitario de Elda

🇪🇸

Elda, Alicante, Spain

Hospital Municipal de Badalona

🇪🇸

Badalona, Barcelona, Spain

Hospital Universitario Germans Trias i Pujol

🇪🇸

Badalona, Barcelona, Spain

Corporació Sanitaria Parc Taulí

🇪🇸

Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain

Hospital del Espíritu Santo

🇪🇸

Santa Coloma De Gramenet, Barcelona, Spain

Hospital Mutua de Terrassa

🇪🇸

Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain

Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa

🇪🇸

Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain

Hospital General Universitario de Vic

🇪🇸

Vic, Barcelona, Spain

Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla

🇪🇸

Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Hospital Provincial de Castellón

🇪🇸

Castellón De La Plana, Castellón, Spain

Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía

🇪🇸

Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain

Hospital de Jerez de la Frontera

🇪🇸

Jerez De La Frontera, Cádiz, Spain

Onkologikoa

🇪🇸

Donostia-San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain

Hosptial Donostia

🇪🇸

Donostia-San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain

Hospital de Barbastro

🇪🇸

Barbastro, Huesca, Spain

Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón

🇪🇸

Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain

Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa

🇪🇸

Leganés, Madrid, Spain

Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro

🇪🇸

Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain

Hospital Universitario San Joan de Reus

🇪🇸

Reus, Tarragona, Spain

Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña

🇪🇸

A Coruña, Spain

Centro Oncológico de Galicia

🇪🇸

A Coruña, Spain

Hospital General Universitario de Albacete

🇪🇸

Albacete, Spain

Hospital General Universitario de Alicante

🇪🇸

Alicante, Spain

Hospital Universitario Virgen de los Lirios

🇪🇸

Alicante, Spain

Hospital del Mar

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar

🇪🇸

Cádiz, Spain

Hospital Universitario Santa Creu i Sant Pau

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

Hospital Clinic i Provincial

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

Instituto Catalán de Oncología de Girona

🇪🇸

Girona, Spain

Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves

🇪🇸

Granada, Spain

Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén

🇪🇸

Jaén, Spain

Hospital General Universitario de Guadalajara

🇪🇸

Guadalajara, Spain

Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida

🇪🇸

Lleida, Spain

Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti

🇪🇸

Lugo, Spain

Hospital Universitario de la Princesa

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

Fundación Jiménez Díaz

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca

🇪🇸

Murcia, Spain

Hospital General Universitario Morales Meseguer

🇪🇸

Murcia, Spain

Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Victoria

🇪🇸

Málaga, Spain

Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya

🇪🇸

Málaga, Spain

Complejo Hospitalario Unviersitario de Ourense

🇪🇸

Ourense, Spain

Hospital Universitario de Salamanca

🇪🇸

Salamanca, Spain

Hospital Universitario de Canarias

🇪🇸

Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain

Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío

🇪🇸

Sevilla, Spain

Hospital Universitario La Fe

🇪🇸

Valencia, Spain

Instituto Valenciano de Oncología

🇪🇸

Valencia, Spain

Hospital Universitario de Valme

🇪🇸

Sevilla, Spain

Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia

🇪🇸

Valencia, Spain

Hospial General Universitario de Valencia

🇪🇸

Valencia, Spain

Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova de Valencia

🇪🇸

Valencia, Spain

Hospital Provincial Rodríguez Chamorro de Zamora

🇪🇸

Zamora, Spain

Hospital Clínico Universitario de Zaragoza "Lozano Blesa"

🇪🇸

Zaragoza, Spain

Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet

🇪🇸

Zaragoza, Spain

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