Neoadjuvant Endostatin and Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant Recombinant Human Endostatin, Docetaxel and Epirubicin as First-line Therapy in Patients With Breast Cancer

This study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant docetaxel and epirubicin (DE) with or without human recombinant endostatin (endostar) for breast cancer patients. The hypothesis of this protocol is that a combined angiogenesis inhibiting therapy to chemotherapy could further enhance the cytotoxic activity in breast cancer.

This is an open labelled, prospective, randomized, phase II clinical trial. A total of 60 patients with core-biopsy confirmed breast cancer, stage ⅡA to ⅢC, and to be treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy are eligible for entry into this study. Patients will be allocated randomly to two groups to receive either 3 cycles of neoadjuvant DE and endostar or 3 cycles of neoadjuvant DE. All cases receive mammography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning pre- and post-neoadjuvant therapy, and then undergo surgical resection. The primary endpoint is clinical/pathological response. The secondary endpoint is (1) the safety and tolerability of the regimens, (2) the role of mammography, CEUS, MRA and PET for response evaluation, and (3) angiogenic profile and biological information involved in tumor response.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer (core needle biopsy for breast cancer diagnosis and fine needle aspiration for lymph node metastasis diagnosis)
• Stage ⅡA-ⅢC
• Age 18-70
• ECOG performance status 0-2
• No evidence of distant metastasis
• No previous therapy
• Normal hematologic function
• left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 50 percent
• No abnormality of renal or liver function
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• With allergic constitution or possible allergic reflection to drugs to be used in this study
• Any concurrent uncontrolled medical or psychiatric disorder
• History of severe heart diseases, including congestive heart failure, unstable angina, uncontrolled arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or heart valve disease.
• History of bleeding diathesis
• Being pregnant or nursing