Breast SACT Regimens

The information contained in these regimens is a statement of consensus of NCCP and ISMO or IHS professionals regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment. Any clinician seeking to apply or consult these documents is expected to use independent medical judgement in the context of individual clinical circumstances to determine any patient's care or treatment. The treatment regimen to be used should take into account factors such as histology, molecular pathology, age, performance status, co-morbidities and the patient’s preference. Each treatment regimen has advantages and disadvantages, and there may be more than one good option.  In addition, treatment choices can change over time as more evidence becomes available. Use of these documents is the responsibility of the prescribing clinician and is subject to the HSE.ie terms of use.

Please email any comments or feedback on these regimens to oncologydrugs@cancercontrol.ie

Recommendations on Reporting on HER2 Status in Breast Cancer Patients

Oncotype-DX

Use of Oncotype DX for gene expression profiling to support chemotherapy decision making in patients with Hormone Receptor positive, HER2 negative, lymph node negative early stage breast cancer was recommended by the NCCP Technology Review Committee in August 2011 in line with eligibility guidelines drafted by the Irish Society of Medical Oncology which are available here.

The use of Oncotype DX has been extended to  patients with Hormone Receptor positive, HER2-negative, lymph node positive patients (1-3nodes) breast cancer patients in line with the recommendation of the NCCP Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Breast Clinical Advisory Group (November 2019). 

For information on open clinical trials please refer to the Cancer Trials Ireland website here and also to basket trials here.

Breast Chemotherapy Regimens

Neoadjuvant / Adjuvant Treatments
Regimen Name Indication

Anastrozole

Regimen

00254b

Adjuvant treatment of hormone receptor positive early invasive breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

00254c

Adjuvant treatment of hormone receptor-positive early invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have received 2 to 3 years of adjuvant tamoxifen.

Capecitabine Monotherapy*

Regimen

00216f

Adjuvant treatment of stage I to IIIB, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in patients with residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment

CARBOplatin (AUC6) and Weekly PACLitaxel (80mg/m2) followed by Dose Dense DOXOrubicin Cyclophosphamide Therapy-Triple Negative Breast Cancer Therapy

Regimen

00348a

Neoadjuvant treatment of triple negative breast carcinoma.

Weekly CARBOplatin (AUC 2) and PACLitaxel 80mg/m2 followed by Dose Dense DOXOrubicin cycloPHOSphamide Therapy - Triple Negative Breast Cancer Therapy

Regimen

 00734a

Neoadjuvant treatment of triple negative breast carcinoma

Cyclophosphamide (IV) Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil (CMF) Therapy  21 day

Regimen

00381a

Adjuvant treatment for breast carcinoma in patients who are considered unsuitable for anthracycline therapy.

Cyclophosphamide (IV) Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil (CMF) Therapy  28 day

Regimen

00378a

Adjuvant treatment for breast carcinoma in patients who are considered unsuitable for anthracycline therapy.

Cyclophosphamide (oral) Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil (CMF) Therapy

Regimen

00377a

Adjuvant treatment for breast carcinoma in patients who are considered unsuitable for anthracycline therapy.

Dose Dense Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide (AC 60/600) 14 day followed by weekly PACLitaxel (80) and Trastuzumab 21 day Therapy (DD AC-TH)

Regimen

00745aa

Adjuvant Treatment of HER2 positive, High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer

00745b

Neoadjuvant Treatment of HER2 positive, High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer

DOCEtaxel/Cyclophosphamide (TC) Therapy-21 day

Regimen

00250a

Adjuvant treatment of patients with high risk node-positive or node-negative early operable breast cancer.

DOCEtaxel, CARBOplatin and Trastuzumab (TCH)-21 days

Regimen

00258a

Adjuvant treatment HER2 positive early breast cancer.

DOXOrubicin and Cycophosphamide(AC 60/600)Therapy- 21 day

Regimen

 00252a

Adjuvant Treatment of High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer

DOXOrubicin, Cyclophosphamide followed by weekly PACLitaxel Therapy (AC-T)

Regimen

00260a

Neoadjuvant or Adjuvant Treatment of High Risk Node
Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer

Dose Dense DOXOrubicin, Cyclophosphamide (AC 60/600) 14 day  followed by PACLitaxel (80) 7 day Therapy (DD AC-T)

Regimen

00485a 

Adjuvant Treatment of High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer

00485b

Neoadjuvant Treatment of High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer.

Dose Dense DOXOrubicin, Cyclophosphamide (AC 60/600) 14 day  followed by PACLitaxel (175) 14 day Therapy (DD AC-T)

Regimen

00278a

Adjuvant treatment of High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer

00278b

Neoadjuvant treatment of High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer

DOXOrubicin, Cyclophosphamide (AC 60/600) 21 day followed by weekly PACLitaxel (80) and weekly Trastuzumab Therapy (AC-TH)

Regimen

00432a

Adjuvant Treatment of HER2 positive, High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer.

00432b

Neoadjuvant Treatment of HER2 positive, High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer.

 

Dose Dense DOXOrubicin, Cyclophosphamide (AC 60/600) 14 day followed by weekly PACLitaxel (80) and weekly Trastuzumab Therapy (DD AC-TH)

Regimen

00433a

Adjuvant Treatment of HER2 positive, High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer.

00433b

Neoadjuvant Treatment of HER2 positive, High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer

Dose Dense DOXOrubicin, cycloPHOSphamide (AC 60/600) 14 day  followed by PACLitaxel (175) 14 day and Trastuzumab Therapy (DD AC-TH)

Regimen

00316a

Adjuvant Treatment of HER2 positive, High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer.

00316b

Neoadjuvant Treatment of HER2 positive, High Risk Node Negative or Node Positive Breast Cancer.

epiRUBicin 90 and cycloPHOSphamide (EC90) Therapy

Regimen

00262a

Adjuvant treatment for operable breast carcinoma

Exemestane Monotherapy

Regimen

00376a

Adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive invasive early breast cancer.

00376b

Extended adjuvant treatment of hormone-dependent invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have received prior adjuvant endocrine therapy.

5-Fluorouracil, epiRUBicin 100 and Cyclophosphamide (FEC 100) Therapy

Regimen

00265a

Neoadjuvant treatment for breast carcinoma

00265b

Adjuvant treatment for breast carcinoma

Letrozole Monotherapy

Regimen

00371a

Adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive invasive early breast cancer.

00371b

Extended adjuvant treatment of hormone-dependent-invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have received prior adjuvant endocrine therapy for 5 years.

00371d

Neo-adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer.

Neratinib Therapy

Regimen

00720a

Extended adjuvant treatment of adults with early-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-overexpressed/amplified breast cancer and who completed adjuvant trastuzumab-based therapy less than one year ago.

PACLitaxel (80) and Trastuzumab Therapy – 7 day (12 weeks)

Regimen

00512a

Adjuvant Treatment of HER2 positive, Node-Negative Breast Cancer of tumor size ≤3cm

Pertuzumab/Trastuzumab (Phesgo®), PACLitaxel and CARBOplatin Therapy (TRAIN-2)

Regimen

00790a

Neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early stage breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.

DOCEtaxel, CARBOplatin and Pertuzumab/Trastuzumab (Phesgo®)(TCHP) Therapy

Regimen

 00789a

Neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with HER2-positive locally advanced, inflammatory or early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.

DOCEtaxel, CARBOplatin, Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab (TCHP) Therapy

Regimen

00722a

 Neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with HER2- positive locally advanced, inflammatory or early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.

DOCEtaxel, CARBOplatin, Trastuzumab (S/C) and Pertuzumab (TCH(S/C)P) Therapy

Regimen

00731a

 Neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with HER2- positive locally advanced, inflammatory or early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.

Pertuzumab, Trastuzumab, PACLItaxel and CARBOplatin Therapy (TRAIN-2)

Regimen

00775a

Neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early stage breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.

Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy

Regimen

00350a

Pertuzumab in combination with trastuzumab and
chemotherapy for the neoadjuvant treatment of adult
patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced,
inflammatory, or early stage breast cancer at high risk of
recurrence

00350b

Pertuzumab in combination with trastuzumab and
chemotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adult
patients with HER2-positive breast cancer at high risk of
recurrence

Sacituzumab Govitecan Therapy

Regimen

00794a

As monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, including at least one of them for advanced disease.

Tamoxifen

Regimen

00253a

Adjuvant treatment of oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer in pre- or post-menopausal women.

Trastuzumab (IV) Monotherapy - 21 days

Regimen

 

00200b

HER2 positive early breast cancer (EBC)

Trastuzumab Subcutaneous 21 days - Early Breast Cancer

Regimen

HER2 positive early breast cancer (EBC):

00285a

Following surgery, chemotherapy (neoadjuvant or adjuvant) and radiotherapy (if applicable)

00285b

Following adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, in combination with paclitaxel or docetaxel

00285c

In combination with adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel and carboplatin.

00285d

In combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by adjuvant trastuzumab therapy, for locally advanced (including inflammatory) disease or tumours > 2 cm in diameter

Trastuzumab Emtansine (Kadcyla®) Early Breast Cancer Therapy-21 days

Regimen

00659a

As a single agent is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer who have residual invasive disease, in the breast and/or lymph nodes, after neoadjuvant taxane-based and HER2-targeted therapy

Zoledronic Acid

Regimen

00545a

Adjuvant treatment of breast cancer in endocrine depleted pre- or post menopausal women

 * Unlicensed indication. See Regimen for more details.

Locally Advanced / Metastatic Regimens
Regimen Name Indication

Anastrozole

Regimen

00254a

Treatment of hormone receptor positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in post-menopausal women

Atezolizumab and nab-PACLitaxel Therapy  

Regimen

00688a

Treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) whose tumours have PD-L1 expression ≥ 1% and who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease.

Bevacizumab 10 mg/kg –14 days

Regimen

00212c

In combination with paclitaxel is indicated for first-line treatment of adult patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

Bevacizumab 15 mg/kg – 21 days

Regimen

00215e

In combination with paclitaxel is indicated for first-line treatment of adult patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

Bevacizumab 10mg/kg and PACLitaxel 80mg/m2 Therapy

Regimen

00738a

In combination with PACLitaxel for the treatment of adult patients with triple negative or HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

Capecitabine Monotherapy

Regimen

00216a

Treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

CARBOplatin (AUC 4-6) Monotherapy- 21 day

Regimen

00261j*

Metastatic breast carcinoma.

CARBOplatin (AUC 4-6) Monotherapy- 28 day

Regimen

00251j*

Metastatic breast carcinoma.

Cyclophosphamide (oral) Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil (CMF) Therapy

Regimen

 00377b

Metastatic breast carcinoma.

Cyclophosphamide (IV) Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil (CMF) Therapy 21 day

Regimen

00381b

Metastatic breast carcinoma.

Cyclophosphamide (IV) Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil (CMF) Therapy 28 day

Regimen

00378b

Metastatic breast carcinoma.

Denosumab 120mg Therapy

Regimen

00741a

For the prevention of skeletal related events in adult patients with malignancies involving bone.

DOCEtaxel Monotherapy 75mg/m2 – 21 day cycle

Regimen

00203h

Treatment of advanced breast cancer.

DOCEtaxel Monotherapy 100mg/m2 – 21 day cycle

Regimen

00202a

Docetaxel monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

DOXOrubicin 50mg/m2/DOCEtaxel 75mg/m2(AT 50/75) Therapy– 21 day cycle

Regimen

00423a

Treatment of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Carcinoma.

DOXOrubicin (Pegylated Liposomal) 50mg/m2 -28 days

Regimen

00205a

Monotherapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

epiRUBicin 75 + cycloPHOSphamide (EC75) Therapy

Regimen

00263a

Metastatic breast carcinoma.

eriBULin Monotherapy

Regimen

00228a

Treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer which has progressed after at least one chemotherapeutic regimens for advanced disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting unless patients were not suitable for these treatments.

eriBULin Monotherapy – 28 Day

Regimen

00743a

Treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer which has progressed after at least one chemotherapeutic regimens for advanced disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting unless patients were not suitable for these treatments.

Everolimus and Exemestane Therapy

Regimen

00322a

Treatment of hormone receptor-positive, HER2/neu negative advanced breast cancer, in combination with exemestane, in postmenopausal women without symptomatic visceral disease after recurrence or progression following a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor.

Exemestane Monotherapy

Regimen

00376c

Advanced breast cancer after relapse or disease progression, in women with natural or artificially induced postmenopausal endocrine status.

5-Fluorouracil, epiRUBicin 50 and Cyclophosphamide (FEC50) Therapy

Regimen

00269a

Metastatic breast carcinoma

Fulvestrant Monotherapy

Regimen

00361a

Treatment of postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor positive, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer for disease relapse on or after adjuvant anti-oestrogen therapy.

00361b

Treatment of postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor positive, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer for disease progression on or after adjuvant anti-oestrogen therapy.

Gemcitabine and CARBOplatin (AUC2) Therapy - 21 days

Regimen

00430a

Treatment of locally recurrent metastatic triple negative breast cancer.

Lapatinib and Capecitabine

Regimen

00217a

Treatment of adult patients with breast cancer, whose tumours overexpress HER2 in combination with capecitabine for patients with advanced or metastatic disease with progression following prior therapy, which must have included anthracyclines and taxanes and therapy with trastuzumab in the metastatic setting.

Letrozole Monotherapy

Regimen

00371c

Advanced breast cancer after relapse or disease progression, in women with natural or artificially induced postmenopausal endocrine status.

PACLitaxel Monotherapy 80mg/m2 Day 1, 8, 15 and 22 – 28 Day

Regimen

00226a*

Treatment of metastatic breast carcinoma (mBC) in patients who have either failed or are not candidates for standard, anthracycline-containing therapy.

PACLitaxel 80mg/m2 Day 1, 8 and 15 Monotherapy-28 Day

Regimen

00621b 

Treatment of metastatic breast carcinoma (mBC) in patients who have either failed or are not candidates for standard, anthracycline-containing therapy.

nab-PACLitaxel Monotherapy – 21 day cycle

Regimen

00230a

Treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard, anthracycline containing therapy is not indicated.

nab-PACLitaxel Weekly Monotherapy - 28 Day

Regimen

00736a

Treatment of metastatic breast carcinoma (mBC) in patients who have
either failed or are not candidates for standard, anthracycline-containing therapy.

PACLitaxel 80 (7 day) and Trastuzumab (21 day) Therapy

Regimen

00815

Adjuvant treatment of HER2 positive, node-negative breast cancer of tumour size ≤ 3cm

Palbociclib Therapy-28day

Regimen

00414a 

Treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with an aromatase inhibitor

00414b

Treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with fulvestrant in women who have received prior endocrine therapy.

Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab (Phesgo®) Maintenance Therapy

Regimen

 00785a

Pertuzumab/ trastuzumab (Phesgo®) for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with HER2- positive metastatic or locally recurrent unresectable breast cancer, where this is a continuation of treatment for patients who have completed the chemotherapy component of the treatment.

Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab and DOCEtaxel Therapy-21 day cycle

Regimen

00204a

Pertuzumab is indicated in combination with trastuzumab and DOCEtaxel in adult patients with HER2- positive metastatic or locally recurrent unresectable breast cancer, who have not received previous anti HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for their metastatic disease.

Pertuzumab Trastuzumab and weekly PACLitaxelTherapy-21 day cycle

Regimen

00507a

Pertuzumab is indicated in combination with trastuzumab and PACLitaxel  in adult patients with HER2- positive metastatic or locally recurrent unresectable breast cancer, who have not received previous anti- HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for their metastatic disease where patients are intolerant of, have had significant toxicity to or are deemed clinically unsuitable for DOCEtaxel.

Pertuzumab/Trastuzumab (Phesgo®) and PACLitaxel 80mg/m2 weekly – 21 day cycle

Regimen

00797a

Pertuzumab/trastuzumab (Phesgo®)  is indicated in combination with PACLitaxel  in adult patients with HER2- positive metastatic or locally recurrent unresectable breast cancer, who have not received previous anti- HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for their metastatic disease where patients are intolerant of, have had significant toxicity to or are deemed clinically unsuitable for DOCEtaxel

Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab (Phesgo®) and DOCEtaxel Therapy - 21 day cycle

 Regimen

00796a

Pertuzumab/ trastuzumab (Phesgo®)  is indicated in combination with DOCEtaxel in adult patients with HER2- positive metastatic or locally recurrent unresectable breast cancer, who have not received previous anti- HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for their metastatic disease.

Pertuzumab/Trastuzumab (Phesgo®) and vinorelbine

Regimen

00798a

Pertuzumab/trastuzumab (Phesgo®)  and vinORELbine  for the treatment of adult patients with HER2- positive metastatic or locally recurrent unresectable breast cancer, who have not received previous anti- HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for their metastatic disease where patients are deemed clinically unsuitable for taxane based therapy

Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab Therapy

Regimen

00726a

Pertuzumab in combination with trastuzumab for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with HER2-positive metastatic or locally recurrent unresectable breast cancer, where this is a continuation of treatment for patients who have completed the chemotherapy component of the treatment.

Pertuzumab Trastuzumab and Vinorelbine

Regimen

00526a

­­­­Pertuzumab in combination with trastuzumab and vinorelbine for the treatment of adult patients with HER2- positive metastatic or locally recurrent unresectable breast cancer, who have not received previous anti- HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for their metastatic disease where patients are deemed clinically unsuitable for taxane based therapy.

Ribociclib Therapy-28 days

Regimen

00525a

Treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer as initial endocrine-based therapy in combination with an aromatase inhibitor.

00525b

Treatment of women with hormone receptor (HR) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant as initial endocrine based therapy or in women who have received prior endocrine therapy.

In pre or perimenopausal women, the endocrine therapy should be combined with a luteinising hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist.

Talazoparib Therapy

Regimen

Information on BRCA testing for Talazoparib

00605a

Talazoparib is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with germline BRCA1/2-mutations, who have HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Patients should have been previously treated with an anthracycline and/or a taxane in the (neo)adjuvant, locally advanced or metastatic setting unless patients were not suitable for these treatments. Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with a prior endocrine-based therapy or be considered unsuitable for endocrine-based therapy.

Tamoxifen

Regimen

00253b

Treatment of oestrogen receptor positive advanced breast cancer in pre- or post-menopausal women.

Trastuzumab (IV) Monotherapy - 7 days

Regimen

00201a

The treatment of patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Trastuzumab (IV) Monotherapy - 21 days

 Regimen

 00200a

HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

Trastuzumab Subcutaneous-21 days - Metastatic Breast Carcinoma

Regimen

HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC):

00272a

As monotherapy for the treatment of those patients who have received at least two chemotherapy regimens for their metastatic disease. Prior chemotherapy must have included at least an anthracycline and a taxane unless patients are unsuitable for these treatments. Hormone receptor positive patients must also have failed hormonal therapy, unless patients are unsuitable for these treatments.

00272b

In combination with paclitaxel for the treatment of those patients who have not received chemotherapy for their metastatic disease and for whom an anthracycline is not suitable.

00272c

In combination with docetaxel for the treatment of those patients who have not received chemotherapy for their metastatic disease.

00272d

In combination with an aromatase inhibitor for the treatment of postmenopausal patients with hormone-receptor positive MBC, not previously treated with trastuzumab.

Trastuzumab Emtansine (Kadcyla®)-21 days

Regimen

00206a 

Treatment of adult patients with HER2-positive, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who previously received trastuzumab and a taxane, separately or in combination.

Patients should have either:

  • Received prior therapy for locally advanced or metastatic disease, or
  • Developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant therapy.

Intravenous Vinorelbine Therapy-21 days

Regimen

00232a

Advanced breast cancer.

Oral Vinorelbine Monotherapy-7days

Regimen

00259a

Advanced breast cancer.

Zoledronic Acid Therapy-28 days

Regimen

00723a

Prevention of skeletal related events in malignancies involving bone metastases

Zoledronic Acid Therapy-3 monthly

Regimen

00724a

Prevention of skeletal related events in malignancies involving bone metastases

Zoledronic Acid Therapy-6 monthly

Regimen

00725a

Prevention of skeletal related events in malignancies involving bone metastases

*Unlicensed indication. See protocol for more details.