Adjuvant therapy for primary breast cancer in a female patient affected by autoimmune liver disease: does it cure breast cancer and primary biliary cirrhosis?

Abstract

Polychemotherapy (CMF or CMF-like regimens) is the treatment of choice in premenopausal breast cancer patients with 1-3 positive nodes. In clinical practice, patients with abnormal biochemical tests of liver function are usually excluded from this potentially curative methotrexate-containing regimen in order to avoid worsening of hepatic damage. On the other hand, recent reports have shown a beneficial effect of methotrexate in a particular autoimmune liver disease such as primary biliary cirrhosis. We discuss the case of a female patient with breast cancer and primary biliary cirrhosis whose biochemical tests of liver function and the titer of antimitochondrial antibody persistently improved after treatment with 3 cycles of CMF. In conclusion, we suggest that the CMF regimen is potentially useful in patients with breast cancer and primary biliary cirrhosis.

• Authors: D Crivellari, R Cannizzaro, E Galligioni, M Valentini, S Monfardini, M Castiglione
• Journal: Tumori (Tumori) Vol. 78 Issue 6 Pg. 395-6 (Dec 31 1992) ISSN: 0300-8916 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1297236 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cyclophosphamide
• Fluorouracil
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Autoimmune Diseases (complications, drug therapy)
• Breast Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy, surgery)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
• Cyclophosphamide (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary (complications, drug therapy)
• Liver Function Tests
• Methotrexate (administration & dosage)
• Middle Aged