Are anthracyclines needed for the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer?

e12599Background: Trastuzumab sc with standard chemotherapy is approved for use in the neoadjuvant setting for HER2 -positive breast cancer patients. A retrospective analysis was performed in group of patients (pts) treated with docetaxel, trastuzumab and carboplatin (TCH) in the neoadjuvant setting in patients with early breast cancer. Methods: From 01.07.2016 to 31.12.2017 in our Clinic 58 pts with early, HER2-positive breast cancer (tumor size 10 mm and cN0 or cN1) were treated with chemotherapy carboplatin (AUC6), docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and trastuzumab 600 mg sc, x 6 cycles every 21 days. Trastuzumab was continued after surgery to 18 cycles. Data on patient demographics, stage of breast cancer, pathology reports, surgical data, and information on systemic therapy were collected. The pCR was defined as ypT0 ypN0. Results: Median age was 51 (range 23 to 76 years). 37 (64%) of patients was HR-positive. The most common adverse events were neutropenia (grade 3-4, n = 16 pts), diarrhea (grade 3, n...