Mitoxantrone in advanced breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Twenty-six untreated patients with advanced or metastatic carcinoma of the breast were treated by a combination of mitoxantrone. Fluorouracil and cyclophosphamide. The mean age was 48 years [range 30-65]. Eight patients were premenopausal and 18 postmenopausal. All patients had a performance status >70 according to the Karpofsky scale. Toxicity was tolerable during the 162 treatment cycles. Leucopenia [2-1 x 103] was observed in 40% of patients between the first and second week post chemotherapy. Thrombocytopenia [<100.00/mm3] was noted in two patients only. Mild alopecia was observed in 69% of patients. Nausea and vomiting occurred during 74.7% of the treatment cycles [121/162]. Two patients developed reduction in the ventricular ejection fraction before the maximum allowed dose but without clinical evidence of cardiac failure. Of the 25 evaluable patients 13 [52%] responded with achievement of complete remission in seven patients [28%]. The two years actuarial survival rate was 35%. Mitoxantrone combination chemotherapy is an effective regimen in advanced breast cancer with less toxicity