Efficacy and safety of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in HER2-negative breast cancer

Context: Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (Nab-PTX) is a form of paclitaxel bound to albumin nanoparticles and is used widely in a neoadjuvant setting for patients with breast cancer. Aims: We conducted a retrospective study to compare the efficacy and safety of Nab-PTX to PTX as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with operable HER2-negative breast cancer. Settings and Design: In total, 50 patients were enrolled. Nab-PTX was administered in the study group, and PTX was administered in the control group. Subjects and Methods: The clinical response and safety profile were recorded. The expression of secreted protein acidic rich in cysteine (SPARC) in tumor tissue was examined. Statistical Analysis: The efficacy and safety analyses were computed using SPSS statistical software. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the exploratory variables (age, stage, estrogen receptor, partial response, and SPARC expression) for the pathological complete response (pCR), and Fisher's exact test was performed to evaluate the relationship between SPARC and pCR. Results: Both groups of patients achieved a good clinical response. The pCR rate for the Nab-PTX regimen was significantly higher than that for the PTX regimen. The most common adverse events were neutropenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, arthralgia, and myalgia. In 68% of cases in the Nab-PTX group, high SPARC expression was observed. Conclusions: As neoadjuvant therapy, the Nab-PTX regimen has advantages over conventional taxane regimen in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer. With this regimen, a high pCR rate was achieved with a good safety profile.