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Epirubicin or doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel
This is a chemotherapy regimen combining anthracyclines (epirubicin or doxorubicin) and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel, which work by intercalating DNA and disrupting microtubule formation to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells.
This is a chemotherapy regimen combining anthracyclines (epirubicin or doxorubicin) and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel, which work by intercalating DNA and disrupting microtubule formation to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. Used for Early-stage breast cancer (neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment), Metastatic breast cancer.
At a glance
| Generic name | Epirubicin or doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University |
| Drug class | Chemotherapy regimen (anthracycline + alkylating agent + taxane) |
| Target | DNA (topoisomerase II inhibition, alkylation); microtubules (paclitaxel) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Epirubicin and doxorubicin are anthracycline antibiotics that intercalate into DNA and inhibit topoisomerase II, preventing DNA replication and transcription. Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that cross-links DNA strands. Paclitaxel is a taxane that stabilizes microtubules and prevents cell division. Together, this sequential combination (often called EC-T or AC-T regimen) targets multiple mechanisms of cell proliferation.
Approved indications
- Early-stage breast cancer (neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment)
- Metastatic breast cancer
Common side effects
- Neutropenia
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Alopecia
- Mucositis
- Peripheral neuropathy (paclitaxel-related)
- Cardiotoxicity (anthracycline-related)
- Fatigue
Key clinical trials
- A Clinical Study of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT, MK-2870) in People With Breast Cancer (MK-2870-032) (PHASE3)
- Study of Patritumab Deruxtecan Plus Pembrolizumab With Other Anticancer Agents in Participants With High-Risk Early-Stage Triple-Negative or Hormone Receptor-Low Positive/HER-2 Negative Breast Cancer (MK-1022-010, HERTHENA-Breast-03) (PHASE2)
- QL1706 Plus Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (PHASE2)
- Posaconazole Plus PD-1 Inhibitors and Chemotherapy vs PD-1 Inhibitors and Chemotherapy in Neoadjuvant Therapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (PHASE2)
- A Clinical Study of Boserolimab (MK-5890) With Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy in People With Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (MK-5890-003) (PHASE2)
- Phase II Exploratory Study of Toripalimab Combined With SBRT in HER2-Negative Breast Cancer Patients With Insensitivity to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (PHASE2)
- Neoadjuvant Therapy Combined With Trastuzumab Rezetecan and Toripalimab for HR+/HER2-low Breast Cancer (NEOTORCH-BREAST 08) (PHASE2)
- FMD and Neoadjuvant Chemo-immunotherapy in TNBC (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 |
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