Efficacy of primary systemic chemotherapy regimen containing anthracyclines with/without taxanes in comparison to CMF in women with early breast cancer

11098 Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for locally-advanced breast cancer and leads to down staging and improved BCT rates. While its efficacy is well established, considerably less is known about the most effective regimen. Methods: We have performed a retrospective analysis of 132 breast cancer patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy at our institution. Patients had either received a) anthracyclines (“A”, n=35), b) anthracyclines and taxanes (“AT”, n=55), or c) neither of the two compounds (“NoA/T”, n=42). Clinical response, pathological response and survival were evaluated in each arm. Results: While all three regimen resulted in significant tumor regression, AT was most effective with a mean tumor shrinkage of 39% (ultrasound) and 41% (mammography) (Kruskal-Wallis, p=0.004, and p=0.027). Breast conservation was achieved in 75% by AT, in 49% by A, and in 19% by NoA/T (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.001). The treatment groups did not differ in respect to pCR (χ2-test, p=0...