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Dose dense AC
Dose-dense AC is a chemotherapy regimen that delivers doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide at higher doses over shorter intervals to maximize cytotoxic effect against cancer cells.
Dose-dense AC is a chemotherapy regimen that delivers doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide at higher doses over shorter intervals to maximize cytotoxic effect against cancer cells. Used for Breast cancer (adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment), High-risk early-stage breast cancer.
At a glance
| Generic name | Dose dense AC |
|---|---|
| Also known as | doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel |
| Sponsor | Ottawa Hospital Research Institute |
| Drug class | Chemotherapy combination regimen |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
This regimen combines two DNA-damaging chemotherapy agents—doxorubicin (an anthracycline) and cyclophosphamide (an alkylating agent)—administered at increased doses with shortened intervals between cycles (typically every 2 weeks with growth factor support) rather than standard 3-week intervals. The dose-dense approach aims to improve efficacy by maintaining higher drug exposure and reducing the opportunity for tumor cell recovery between treatments.
Approved indications
- Breast cancer (adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment)
- High-risk early-stage breast cancer
Common side effects
- Neutropenia
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cardiotoxicity
- Alopecia
- Mucositis
Key clinical trials
- Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Rate of Pathologic Complete Response in Vitamin D Deficient Patients (PHASE2)
- Efti in Patients With Hormone Receptor Positive/HER2-neg Breast Cancer (PHASE2)
- Evaluating Omission of Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factors in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Paclitaxel Portion of Dose-dense Adriamycin-cyclophosphamide and Paclitaxel Chemotherapy (PHASE4)
- Multicentre Study to Determine the Feasibility of Using an Integrated Consent Model to Compare Three Standard of Care Regimens for The Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in the Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant Setting (REaCT-TNBC) (PHASE4)
- Paclitaxel With or Without Carboplatin and/or Bevacizumab Followed by Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide in Treating Patients With Breast Cancer That Can Be Removed by Surgery (PHASE2)
- Tailoring NEOadjuvant Therapy in Hormone Receptor Positive, HER2 Negative, Luminal Breast Cancer. (PHASE2)
- Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab + Decitabine Followed by Std Neoadj Chemo for Locally Advanced HER2- Breast Ca (PHASE2)
- Correlation of Clinical Response to Pathologic Response in Patients With Early Breast Cancer (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |