Combination chemotherapy and high-dose cyclophosphamide intensification for poor prognosis breast cancer. A Southwest Oncology Group Study.

Abstract

Thirty-seven patients with poor prognosis, metastatic breast cancer were treated with 5-fluorouracil, vinblastine, and Adriamycin (doxorubicin; Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH) (FUVA) induction chemotherapy. All 26 patients (74%) with responsive or stable disease after induction chemotherapy received intensification with high-dose cyclophosphamide (120 mg/kg). Continued responders received additional FUVA as consolidation. The response rate to induction therapy was 54% (with complete response [CR] in 11%). With intensification, three patients (11%) showed improved response (partial response [PR] in one, PR to complete response [CR] in two); however, six patients (23%) progressed within 2 months of cyclophosphamide intensification, three within 1 month. The overall response rate to all three phases of the study was 69%, with CR in 23%. The median survival of all patients entered in this study was 15 months. For cyclophosphamide intensification, major toxicity consisted of leukopenia with fever requiring broad-spectrum antibiotics in 27%. The authors conclude that a single cycle of high-dose cyclophosphamide intensification in metastatic breast cancer does not result in significantly improved responses or prolonged survival.

• Authors: G K Ellis, S Green, S Schulman, B L Tranum, R S Goldberg, R B Livingston
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 64 Issue 12 Pg. 2409-15 (Dec 15 1989) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] UNITED STATES
• PMID: 2684382 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Vinblastine
• Doxorubicin
• Cyclophosphamide
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Bone Neoplasms (secondary)
• Brain Neoplasms (prevention & control)
• Breast Neoplasms (drug therapy, mortality, pathology)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Cyclophosphamide (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Doxorubicin (administration & dosage)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
• Prognosis
• Vinblastine (administration & dosage)