Weekly nab-paclitaxel is safe and effective in ≥65 years old patients with metastatic breast cancer: A post-hoc analysis

PURPOSE: This post-hoc analysis of 2 studies investigated the safety and efficacy of weekly and every-3-week (q3w) nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) in older patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) compared with q3w solvent-based paclitaxel and docetaxel. RESULTS: Patients≥65 years (median: 69) were analyzed. In phase 2 (n=52), overall response rates (ORR) for weekly nab-paclitaxel were 60-64% vs 22% for q3w nab-paclitaxel and 32% for docetaxel. In phase 3 (n=62), ORRs were 27% for q3w nab-paclitaxel and 19% for solvent-based paclitaxel. In phase 2, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 18.9 months for 150 mg/m2 weekly nab-paclitaxel vs 8.5-13.8 months for all other regimens. In phase 3, median PFS for q3w nab-paclitaxel and solvent-based paclitaxel were 5.6 months and 3.5 months, respectively. Weekly nab-paclitaxel resulted in less serious adverse events compared with all other regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly nab-paclitaxel was safe and more efficacious compared with the q3w schedule and with solvent-based taxanes in older patients with MBC.