Therapeutic effects of trastuzumab combined with anthracyclines in metastatic breast cancer

Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate therapeutic effects and safety levels of trastuzumab combined with anthracyclines for treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Methods: A total of 90 patients with metastatic breast cancer were randomly divided into three groups, including A (N = 32), B (N = 36), and C (N = 22) groups. Group A received treatment with the simultaneous use of anthracyclines and trastuzumab (50 mg/m(2) pirarubicin and 75 mg/m(2) epirubicin for 6 cycles). Group B received sequential therapy with trastuzumab and anthracyclines (60 mg/m(2) pirarubicin and 90 mg/m(2) epirubicin for 21 consecutive days as a chemotherapy cycle; Trastuzumab was given for the first time at the end of one cycle of anthracyclines). Patients were treated continuously for 6 cycles. Group C received 50 mg/m(2) pirarubicin and 75 mg/m(2) epirubicin for 21 consecutive days. This was continued for 6 consecutive cycles. Efficacy levels of treatment in three groups were compared. Health Survey Summary (SF-36) scores were used to assess quality of life levels in the three groups. Echocardiography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to detect changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and serum hypersensitive troponin T (hs-cTnT), as well as brain natural peptide amino terminal precursor proteins (NT-proBNP). Progression-free survival times (PFS) and total survival times (OS) were selected for survival analysis. Results: Treatment efficacy levels of group A and group B were better than those of group C (P < 0.05). Quality of life levels of group A and group B were also better (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in LVEF of the three groups (P > 0.05). Levels of hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP in the serum of the three groups were compared. Group B levels were higher than those in group A and group C (P < 0.05). The OS of the three groups was 100%. The PFS of group A and group B was better than that of group C (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Synchronized treatment with trastuzumab combined with anthracyclines can significantly improve clinical symptoms, quality of life levels, and prognosis of patients. This method does not increase heart risks. Thus, it is worthy of promotion.