18% of BC patients see complete response with Abraxane regimen

US drugmaker Abraxis BioScience reported strong preliminary results from a single-arm, open-label, Phase II trial evaluating Abraxane (paclitaxel albumin-bound particles for injectable suspension) plus gemcitabine and epirubicin for locally-advanced breast cancer (neoadjuvant treatment).

In the preliminary analysis, 18% of patients (n=23) given the three-drug regimen achieved a complete pathologic response (the disappearance of all target lesions), and 68% achieved a partial response (a 30% or greater decrease in size of target lesions). The findings were presented during this year's San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

In the ongoing Phase II study, 123 patients with locally-advanced, early-stage breast cancer were treated with the Abraxane regimen once every two weeks for 12 weeks. Following surgery, they were given additional treatment with Abraxane and gemcitabine every two weeks for eight weeks. With this regimen, 88% of patients were alive 24 months after treatment and the estimated progression-free survival at 24 months was 71%.