Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the pathological complete response rate (pCR) in HER2 breast cancer by comparing anthracycline-containing and anthracycline-free regimens. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed to obtain data from women undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy associated with two groups: • AC-TH patients: treated with trastuzumab with confirmed HER2-positive breast cancer using an anthracycline-based therapy followed by taxane. • CTH patients: recieved trastuzumab concurrently during taxane use in an anthracycline-free regime (carboplatin plus a taxane). Clinical data, pCR, free-disease survival, and overall survival were compared using chi-square, log-rank Mantel-cox, multinomial logistic and Cox regression tests (p < 0.05, SPSS v20.0). Results: There are no differences between AC-TH and CTH in terms of: • pCR (p=0.745), •Disease- free survival (p=0.840), • Overall survival (p=0.642). The major prognostic factor for overall survival were: • Nodal metastasis (p=0.043, HR = 0.263 (CI95% = 0.072-0.959) and • Dose reduction (p=0.021, HR = 0.070 (CI95% = 0.007-0.667) and For disease-free survival: • Age (p=0.038, HR = 3.288, CI95% 1.068-10.123) and • pCR (p=0.028, HR = 0.354, CI95% = 0.140-0.895). AC-TH showed more cardiotoxicity (9.3% vs 3.4%). Conclusion: Chemotherapy regimens with or without anthracycline, when combined with trastuzumab, demonstrate similar rates of pathological complete response and recurrence-free survival. Pathological complete response and age are independent variables associated with recurrence. However, the use of anthracycline leads to increased cardiotoxicity.
Rocha, I. M. , Lustosa, A. Bastos , Filgueira, A. B. Tavares , Barreto, G. A. Vieira , Alverne, L. Mont’e , Barros Silva, P. Goberlanio de and Juacaba, S. Ferreira (2026). Evaluation of Pathological Complete Response Rate in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy With or Without Anthracycline. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27(1), 53-60. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.1.53
MLA
Rocha, I. M. , , Lustosa, A. Bastos, , Filgueira, A. B. Tavares, , Barreto, G. A. Vieira, , Alverne, L. Mont’e, , Barros Silva, P. Goberlanio de, and Juacaba, S. Ferreira. "Evaluation of Pathological Complete Response Rate in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy With or Without Anthracycline", Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27, 1, 2026, 53-60. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.1.53
HARVARD
Rocha, I. M., Lustosa, A. Bastos, Filgueira, A. B. Tavares, Barreto, G. A. Vieira, Alverne, L. Mont’e, Barros Silva, P. Goberlanio de, Juacaba, S. Ferreira (2026). 'Evaluation of Pathological Complete Response Rate in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy With or Without Anthracycline', Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27(1), pp. 53-60. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.1.53
CHICAGO
I. M. Rocha , A. Bastos Lustosa , A. B. Tavares Filgueira , G. A. Vieira Barreto , L. Mont’e Alverne , P. Goberlanio de Barros Silva and S. Ferreira Juacaba, "Evaluation of Pathological Complete Response Rate in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy With or Without Anthracycline," Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27 1 (2026): 53-60, doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.1.53
VANCOUVER
Rocha, I. M., Lustosa, A. Bastos, Filgueira, A. B. Tavares, Barreto, G. A. Vieira, Alverne, L. Mont’e, Barros Silva, P. Goberlanio de, Juacaba, S. Ferreira Evaluation of Pathological Complete Response Rate in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy With or Without Anthracycline. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2026; 27(1): 53-60. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.1.53
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