What does this research mean for the field?

Chemotherapy regimens combined with trastuzumab show similar rates of pathological complete response in HER2-positive breast cancer patients, but the use of anthracycline increases cardiotoxicity. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the pathological complete response rates in HER2-positive breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant trastuzumab and chemotherapy with or without anthracycline.

January 24, 2026Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention0 citationsOpen Access

Evaluation of Pathological Complete Response Rate in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy With or Without Anthracycline

IRIago Mateus RochaHospital Haroldo Juaçaba ALAlysson Bastos LustosaHospital Haroldo Juaçaba AFAna Beatriz FilgueiraHospital Haroldo Juaçaba

Key Result

Chemotherapy regimens combined with trastuzumab showed similar pathological complete response rates, but anthracycline increased cardiotoxicity.

Key Points

To evaluate the pathological complete response rates in HER2-positive breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant trastuzumab and chemotherapy with or without anthracycline.
Evaluating chemotherapy regimens combined with trastuzumab
Comparing outcomes based on the use of anthracycline
Assessing pathological complete response and recurrence-free survival
Pathological complete response rates are similar regardless of anthracycline use
Age and pathological complete response are independent factors relating to recurrence
Increased cardiotoxicity is observed with the use of anthracycline

Structured PICO

Does anthracycline-based chemotherapy improve pathological complete response compared to anthracycline-free chemotherapy in women with HER2-positive breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant trastuzumab?

Population

166 female patients with HER2-positive breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy associated with trastuzumab, mean age 49.93 years.

Intervention

Anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed by taxane (AC-TH) with trastuzumab (n=108)

Comparator

Anthracycline-free chemotherapy regimen (carboplatin plus a taxane, CTH) with trastuzumab (n=58)

Outcome

Pathological complete response rate (pCR)surrogate

In patients with HER2-positive breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant trastuzumab, anthracycline-free chemotherapy achieves similar pathological complete response and recurrence-free survival compared to anthracycline-containing regimens, with potentially lower cardiotoxicity.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Chemotherapy regimens with or without anthracycline, when combined with trastuzumab, demonstrate similar rates of pathological complete response and recurrence-free survival. Pathological complete response and age are independent variables associated with recurrence. However, the use of anthracycline leads to increased cardiotoxicity.

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