Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity In Patients With Early Stage Breast Cancer: The Canadian Cancer Trials Group (Ncic Ctg) Ma.21 Experience.

1016Background: Anthracycline containing chemotherapy (An-CT) has led to improved clinical outcomes in women with early breast cancer (EBC); however cardiotoxicity (CTox) can occur acutely or years later. We report the incidence of CTox in women with EBC who participated in a large randomized phase III trial of 3 different An-CT regimens: cyclophosphamide (C) epirubicin (E) fluorouracil (F); dose dense EC followed by paclitaxel (T); and Adriamycin (A) and C followed by T. Methods: Women (≤60 years) were randomized to one of: Arm A – CEF (E: 60mg/m2 and F days 1 and 8 x 6); Arm B - EC/T (E: 120mg/m2 q2 weeks x 6 followed by T q 3 weeks x 4); Arm C - AC/T (A: 60mg/m2q3 weeks x 4 followed by T q3 weeks x 4). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured at baseline by echocardiogram (ECHO) (19%) or MUGA (81%), then yearly x 5. CTox was defined as at least 10% decline in LVEF to below 50%. Left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) was defined as: mild (LVEF 40-50%); moderate/severe (LVEF u003c 40%). Congestive ...