Treatment Information

Back

Breast Cancer treatment details. Chemotherapy, Biologic therapy.

Croissance et Cancer, Tours, France, France.

Survival: monthsCountry:France
Toxiciy Grade:4City/State/Province:Tours, France
Treatments:Chemotherapy, Biologic therapyHospital:Croissance et Cancer
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Dec 2009

Description:

Patients: This phase 2 study involved 25 women with metastatic breast cancer. Their median age was 58, ranging from 32 to 71 years. The majority (84%) were post-menopausal.

Treatment: These women were treated with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and chemotherapy drugs cyclophosphamide, fluorouracil, and epirubicin. DHA is a fatty acid from marine (ocean) algae.

Toxicity: There were no DHA-related toxicities. The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicity from the chemotherapy drugs was neutropenia, which was reported in 80% of women. Two of the 25 patients had anemia and thrombocytopenia, and 80% had complete alopecia (hair loss).

Results: The median overall survival was 22 months. Women incorporated different amounts of DHA in their bodies, even though they were all given the same amount (dose). Among women with higher DHA levels, the median overall survival was 34 months, while the median overall survival in those with lower DHA levels was 18 months.

Correspondence: Dr. P. Bougnoux



Back