Docetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a real-world study of previously discontinued patients for non-progression reasons

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of docetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients who discontinued docetaxel for reasons other than disease progression. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed HER2-negative MBC patients t...

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Main Authors: Hui-Ai Zeng, Hui-Min Lv, Meng-Wei Zhang, Li-Min Niu, Jing Wang, Hui-Hui Sun, Zhen-Zhen Liu, Min Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06133-w
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author Hui-Ai Zeng
Hui-Min Lv
Meng-Wei Zhang
Li-Min Niu
Jing Wang
Hui-Hui Sun
Zhen-Zhen Liu
Min Yan
author_facet Hui-Ai Zeng
Hui-Min Lv
Meng-Wei Zhang
Li-Min Niu
Jing Wang
Hui-Hui Sun
Zhen-Zhen Liu
Min Yan
author_sort Hui-Ai Zeng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of docetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients who discontinued docetaxel for reasons other than disease progression. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed HER2-negative MBC patients treated with docetaxel-based therapy (DBT) at our institution from 2010 to 2020. Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were assessed. Multivariate Cox regression and propensity score matching analysis (PSMA) were used to minimize bias. Results Among 600 patients, 369 only received docetaxel once (control group), while 231 (38.5%) received docetaxel rechallenge as second or later-line therapy (rechallenge group). In the second-line rechallenge subset (143 patients), ORR was 51.0%, and PFS was 6.7 months. Multivariate analysis showed that a response to initial DBT (stable disease [SD] vs. complete response/partial response [CR/PR]: odds ratio [OR] 2.615, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.373–4.981; p = 0.03) independently predicted the ORR. Beyond second-line rechallenge, the ORR and PFS were 37.5% and 5.6 months, respectively. After PSMA, the rechallenge group demonstrated significantly improved OS compared to the control group: 50.5 months vs. 46.0 months (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.632; 95% CI 0.455–0.878; p = 0.006). The toxicities reported were manageable, primarily hematologic, with grade 3–4 events occurring in 19.5% of cases. Conclusion This study suggests that docetaxel rechallenge may be an effective and tolerable later-line treatment option for patients with HER2-negative MBC, particularly those who responded to initial DBT. However, further prospective, randomized controlled research is needed to fully evaluate its impact on disease response in this patient population.
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spelling doaj-art-5d0dbdf306bc4eb0ad11985eee53d2432025-08-20T02:56:06ZengSpringerJournal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology1432-13352025-02-01151211210.1007/s00432-025-06133-wDocetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a real-world study of previously discontinued patients for non-progression reasonsHui-Ai Zeng0Hui-Min Lv1Meng-Wei Zhang2Li-Min Niu3Jing Wang4Hui-Hui Sun5Zhen-Zhen Liu6Min Yan7Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer HospitalDepartment of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer HospitalDepartment of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer HospitalDepartment of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer HospitalDepartment of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer HospitalDepartment of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer HospitalDepartment of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer HospitalDepartment of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer HospitalAbstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of docetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients who discontinued docetaxel for reasons other than disease progression. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed HER2-negative MBC patients treated with docetaxel-based therapy (DBT) at our institution from 2010 to 2020. Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were assessed. Multivariate Cox regression and propensity score matching analysis (PSMA) were used to minimize bias. Results Among 600 patients, 369 only received docetaxel once (control group), while 231 (38.5%) received docetaxel rechallenge as second or later-line therapy (rechallenge group). In the second-line rechallenge subset (143 patients), ORR was 51.0%, and PFS was 6.7 months. Multivariate analysis showed that a response to initial DBT (stable disease [SD] vs. complete response/partial response [CR/PR]: odds ratio [OR] 2.615, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.373–4.981; p = 0.03) independently predicted the ORR. Beyond second-line rechallenge, the ORR and PFS were 37.5% and 5.6 months, respectively. After PSMA, the rechallenge group demonstrated significantly improved OS compared to the control group: 50.5 months vs. 46.0 months (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.632; 95% CI 0.455–0.878; p = 0.006). The toxicities reported were manageable, primarily hematologic, with grade 3–4 events occurring in 19.5% of cases. Conclusion This study suggests that docetaxel rechallenge may be an effective and tolerable later-line treatment option for patients with HER2-negative MBC, particularly those who responded to initial DBT. However, further prospective, randomized controlled research is needed to fully evaluate its impact on disease response in this patient population.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06133-wBreast cancerReal-worldChemotherapyDocetaxelRechallenge
spellingShingle Hui-Ai Zeng
Hui-Min Lv
Meng-Wei Zhang
Li-Min Niu
Jing Wang
Hui-Hui Sun
Zhen-Zhen Liu
Min Yan
Docetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a real-world study of previously discontinued patients for non-progression reasons
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
Breast cancer
Real-world
Chemotherapy
Docetaxel
Rechallenge
title Docetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a real-world study of previously discontinued patients for non-progression reasons
title_full Docetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a real-world study of previously discontinued patients for non-progression reasons
title_fullStr Docetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a real-world study of previously discontinued patients for non-progression reasons
title_full_unstemmed Docetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a real-world study of previously discontinued patients for non-progression reasons
title_short Docetaxel rechallenge in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a real-world study of previously discontinued patients for non-progression reasons
title_sort docetaxel rechallenge in her2 negative metastatic breast cancer a real world study of previously discontinued patients for non progression reasons
topic Breast cancer
Real-world
Chemotherapy
Docetaxel
Rechallenge
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06133-w
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