RESUMO
Purpose:To evaluate the results of combination chemotherapy with MxFL[mitoxantrone(MIT),Fluaroracil (5 FU),Leucovorin (CF)]in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.Methods:From 1993 through 1998,41 patients with metastatic breast cancer were enrolled in this study, Twenty six patients had no prior chemotherapy and 15 were had prior chemotherapy in nineteen patients estrogen receptor (ER) was positive. MIT 12 mg/m 2 by was given intravenous titrate the first day; continuous 5 FU 320 mg/m 2 by intravenous titrate the first day;continuous 5 FU 320 mg/m 2 by intravenous titrate was given for one hundred and twenty hours during the first day to the fifth day; at the same time, CF 50 mg/m 2 by intravenous titrate, once every twelve hours for five days. Repeated every three weeks. Results:Complete response was observed in 11 patients and partial response was observed in 19 patients with an overall response rate of 73.2%. The median response duration was 17 months and the median survival period was 23 months. The dose limiting toxicity was neutropenia which was seen in 85.4% of the treated cases (19.5% in grades Ⅲ and Ⅳ). Stomatitis was observed in 9.8% of the patients and local venous toxicity was observed in 12.2% of the patients. Conclusions:A high response rate is obtained in metastatic breast cancer treated by MxFL. Such treatment may be used as first line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.