Individual patient data meta-analysis of anthracycline-containing and taxane-containing chemotherapy for early-stage operable breast cancer

Anthracycline-taxane chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer substantially improves survival compared with no chemotherapy. Concerns about side effects of anthracycline have led to increased use of taxane chemotherapy without anthracycine,which could compromise efficacy. A patient-level meta-analysis of 100.000 women for 86 randomized trials found that anthracycline plus taxane regimens are most efficaceous most efficacious at reducing breast cancer recurrence and death. Regimens wih higher cumulative doses of anthracycline plus taxane provide the greastest benefit, challenging the current trend and clinical practice and guideline towards non-anthracycline chemotherapy.