The role of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) in @entity1 with refractory @entity0 is not well established. Forty-two female @entity1 (median age of 46 years) with @entity0 refractory to neoadjuvant chemotherapy received HDCT ( @entity786 , @entity3600 and @entity11678 ) supported by an autologous peripheral blood stem cells transplant. Their disease had been refractory (defined as less than partial response) to one (18 @entity1 ) or two (24 @entity1 ) regimens of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Twenty-nine @entity1 had surgery before HDCT. The best response after surgery, HDCT, and radiation therapy was assessed 60 days after transplantation. Thirty @entity1 had complete remission, eight had a PR, one had a minor response, and three had progressive disease. In seven of 13 @entity1 whose disease was inoperable before HDCT, it became operable. After a median follow-up of 42 months, 21 @entity1 were alive, and 15 remained disease free. Five-year @entity1349 ( @entity1349 ) was 57% (CI, 50-64%), and the estimated 5-year progression-free survival was 40% (CI, 32-48%). Both @entity1349 and PFS were better in @entity1 whose disease became operable after chemotherapy than in those whose disease remained inoperable. A randomized study is warranted in this @entity1 population.

High-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for primary XXXX refractory to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity0 :: ('MESH:D001943', 'Disease') :: ['breast cancer'] @entity11678 :: ('MESH:D013852', 'Chemical') :: ['thiotepa'] @entity786 :: ('MESH:D003520', 'Chemical') :: ['cyclophosphamide'] @entity3600 :: ('MESH:D002330', 'Chemical') :: ['carmustine'] @entity1349 :: ('MESH:D011475', 'Disease') :: ['OS', 'overall survival']
@entity0 :: (MESH:D001943,Disease) :: ['breast cancer']
