Survival Benefit of Dose-Dense Chemotherapy for Node-Positive Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Kümmel S, Krocker J, Kohls A, Breitbach G-P, Morack G, Budner M, Blohmer J-U, Elling D
Primary Institution: Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics, University Medicine Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte
Hypothesis
Does dose-dense chemotherapy improve survival outcomes compared to conventional chemotherapy in women with node-positive breast cancer?
Conclusion
Dose-dense sequential chemotherapy improves survival for patients with node-positive breast cancer compared to conventional treatment.
Supporting Evidence
- 71 patients (33%) relapsed or died during the study.
- Four-year rates of disease-free survival were 64% for dose-dense and 58% for conventional chemotherapy.
- Overall survival rates after four years were 85% for dose-dense and 75% for conventional chemotherapy.
Takeaway
This study shows that a special type of chemotherapy given more frequently can help women with a certain kind of breast cancer live longer.
Methodology
A multicentre, randomised, open-label Phase 3 study comparing dose-dense chemotherapy with conventional chemotherapy in women with node-positive breast cancer.
Potential Biases
The inclusion of patients with >9 positive lymph nodes may have affected overall survival and disease-free survival rates.
Limitations
The study had a relatively small patient population and fewer patients were enrolled than originally planned, which may reduce statistical power.
Participant Demographics
Women aged 26 to 72 years, with a mean age of 53 years, 60% postmenopausal.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.12
Confidence Interval
95% CL, 74–89% for DFS after 2 years
Statistical Significance
p=0.12
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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