Multicentre phase II trial of bevacizumab combined with docetaxel-carboplatin for the neoadjuvant treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (KCSGBR-0905)

Background: This phase II neoadjuvant trial evaluated bevacizumab-docetaxel and carboplatin in triple-negative breast cancer. Patients and methods: Women with hormone receptor- and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)- negative, stage II/III breast cancer received six cycles of 75 mg/m² docetaxel, carboplatin (AUC = 5) and 15 mg/kg bevacizumab every 21 days. The primary end point was pathological complete response (pCR) in breasts and axillary lymph nodes (ALN). Results: Forty-five patients were recruited from the Korean Cancer Study Group. The median age was 45 (range 30-72) years. ALNs were positive in 80% of patients (n = 36) at diagnosis. Overall, 98% of patients (n = 44) completed therapy and underwent surgery. The pCR rate was 42% (n = 19); clinical response rate 96% (n = 43); complete 13% (n = 6); partial 82% (n = 37); stable disease 2% (n = 1). Breast-conserving surgery was undertaken in 78% of patients (n = 35). Most frequent grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (84%, n = 38) and febrile neutropenia (9%, n = 4). One patient experienced delayed wound healing after surgery. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant bevacizumab, docetaxel and carboplatin resulted in an encouraging pCR rate and negligible wound healing problems after surgery.