Irinotecan as a Palliative Therapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients after Previous Chemotherapy

Background: This analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of irinotecan based chemotherapy for treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who experienced disease progression after one to three chemotherapy regimens, including at least one anthracycline- or taxane-based. Methods: Clinical studies were identified using a predefined search strategy. Pooled response rates (RR) to treatment were calculated. Results: As irinotecan based regimens, 5 clinical studies which including 217 patients with refractory MBC were considered eligible for inclusion, with irinotecan, cisplatin, capecitabine, or TS-1. Systemic analysis suggested that, in all patients, pooled RR was 48.8% (106/217) with irinotecan based regimens. Thrombocytopenia and leukocytopenia were the main side effects. No grade III or IV renal or liver toxicity was observed. No treatment related deaths occurred. Conclusion: This systemic analysis suggests that irinotecan based regimens are beneficial and safe for treating patients with MBC after other chemotherapy.