A pilot study to investigate the feasibility and cardiac effects of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PL-DOX) as adjuvant therapy in medically fit elderly breast cancer patients

In this pilot study, we examined the feasibility and toxicity in 16 elderly women age > or =65 receiving six cycles of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PL-DOX) cyclophosphamide as adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. An extensive cardiologic assessment was also performed including echocardiographic Doppler-based strain rate imaging (SRI), a promising new sensitive technique to assess cardiac function. All but one patient finished the six planned cycles without major dose reductions or delay, and with limited serious toxicity showing the feasibility of this regimen. Significant decreases in radial strain and strain rate were found after six cycles of treatment while left ventricle ejection fraction remained unchanged. SRI may be a useful tool in the follow-up of elderly patients treated with anthracyclines, allowing early initiation of preventive measures in order to prevent further irreversible cardiac damage.