Cisplatin plus gemcitabine versus paclitaxel plus gemcitabine as first-line therapy for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (CBCSG006): a randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 3 trial.

Background: Platinum chemotherapy has a role in the treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer but its full potential has probably not yet been reached. We assessed whether a cisplatin plus gemcitabine regimen was non-inferior to or superior to paclitaxel plus gemcitabine as first-line therapy for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

Methods: For this open-label, randomised, phase 3, hybrid-designed trial undertaken at 12 institutions or hospitals in China, we included Chinese patients aged 18-70 years with previously untreated, histologically confirmed metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, and an ECOG performance status of 0-1.

The importance of biopsy in clinically diagnosed metastatic lesions in patients with breast cancer.

Background: Receptor status discordance, such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status between primary breast cancer and metastatic lesions has been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biopsy of clinically diagnosed metastatic lesions and to determine the changes in hormonal receptor and HER2 status of the metastatic lesions.

Methods: Sixty-three patients with clinically diagnosed metastatic breast cancer underwent an excisional biopsy or core needle aspiration guided by computed tomography/ultrasound.

[Use of rebiopsy for clinically diagnosed metastatic lesion in patients with breast cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the roles of rebiopsy for clinically diagnosed metastatic lesion in detecting the changes of hormonal receptors and second malignancy.

Methods: The metastatic lesions were rebiopsied by core needle aspiration or incision in 42 patients with a clinical diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer by computed tomography or ultrasound.

Results: None of major complications occurred.

[In vitro chemo-sensitivity MTT assay guided intraperitoneal chemotherapy for malignant ascites].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of intraperitoneal chemotherapy for malignant ascites caused by different types of abdominal cancers guided by chemo-sensitivity methyl tetrojolium coloremetric (MTT) assay in vitro.

Methods: Cancer cells in the malignant ascites were collected for MTT assay to determine the chemo-sensitivity. The drug producing the highest or the second highest inhibition rate was selected for intraperitoneal chemotherapy.