The relationship between receptor status and response to combination chemotherapy was retrospectively analyzed in 50 patients with advanced breast carcinoma, previously untreated with systemic therapy. Overall objective response rate to combination chemotherapy was similar in ER+ cases (14 of 33, 42 %) and in ER– (9 of 17, 53 %). The median duration of response was significantly longer in ER+ cases (48 weeks) than in ER– ones (26 weeks, P = 0.03). Response rate to cytotoxic chemotherapy does not appear to correlate with ER status.
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