Efficacy of neoadjuvant weekly docetaxel in locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer

11600 Background: Prior studies have shown that taxanes have improved clinical outcome and survival in advanced and adjuvant breast cancer settings. The goal of this study was to determine the clinical response rate, pathological complete response rate and tolerability of weekly docetaxel used neoadjuvantly in locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer. Methods: Fourteen patients were enrolled between June 2004 and January 2007. The mean age was 38 years (range 33 - 79 years). The average primary tumor size was 3.9 cm (range 1.5 cm to 10 cm). 7/14 patients had clinically palpable axillary lymph nodes. Four patients had inflammatory histology and the rest had infiltrating ductal carcinoma with five being poorly differentiated. Seven patients had positive estrogen receptors, 3 were HER2 neu positive, while 6 patients were triple negative. Patients received weekly docetaxel at 40 mg/m2 for 2 cycles; of 4 weekly doses and then one week rest (10 weeks of induction therapy). After neoadjuvant chemotherapy t...