Real-world adjuvant TAC or FEC-D for HER2-negative node-positive breast cancer in women less than 50 years of age
Purpose We compared the efficacy, toxicity, and use of granulocyte colony–stimulating factor (G-CSF) with TAC (docetaxel–doxorubicin–cyclophosphamide) and FEC-D (5-fluorouracil–epirubicin–cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel) in women less than 50 years of age.Methods The study included all women more than 18 years but less than 50 years of age with her2-negative, node-positive, stage II or III breast cancer diagnosed in Alberta between 2008 and 2012 who received TAC (n = 198) or FEC-D (n = 274).Results The patient groups were well-balanced, except that radiotherapy use was higher in the TAC group (91.9% vs. 79.9%, p < 0.001). At a median follow-up of 49.6 months, disease-free survival was 91.4% for TAC and 92.0% for FEC-D (p = 0.76). Overall survival (OS) was 96% with TAC and 95.3% with FEC-D (p = 0.86).The incidences of grades 3 and 4 toxicities were similar in the two groups (all p > 0.05). Overall, febrile neutropenia (FN) was reported in 11.6% of TAC patients and 15.7% of FEC-D patients (p = 0.26). However, use of G-CSF was higher in the TAC group than in the FEC-D group (96.4% vs. 71.5%, p < 0.001). Hospitalization for FN was required in 10.5% of TAC patients and 13.0% of FEC-D patients (p = 0.41). In G-CSF–supported and –unsupported patients receiving tac, FN occurred at rates of 11.1% and 33.3% respectively (p = 0.08); in patients receiving the FEC portion of FEC-D, those proportions were 2.9% and 8.1% respectively (p = 0.24); and in patients receiving docetaxel after FEC, the proportions were 4.1% and 17.6% respectively (p < 0.001).Conclusions In women less than 50 years of age receiving adjuvant TAC or FEC-D, we observed no differences in efficacy or other nonhematologic toxicities. Based on the timing and rates of FN, use of prophylactic G-CSF should be routine for the docetaxel-containing portion of treatment; however, prophylactic G-CSF could potentially be avoided during the FEC portion of FEC-D treatment.