Evaluation of vinorelbine and doxorubicin as first line treatment for metastatic breast cancer in Suez Canal Area

ABSTRACT

Forty three patients with metastatic breast cancer, 25 premenopausal, 18 post menopausal who had received no prior chemotherapy except CMF [cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluoromacil] as adjuvant treatment for their disease were included in this study. Navelbine was administered at 25 mg/m[2] by thirty minutes intravenous infusion on days I and 8 and doxorubicin at 50 mg/m[2] by slow IV infusion on day I with each course repeated at 3 weeks intervals. Patients were treated for a maximum 11 cycles. Objective overall response was seen in 30 patients. Complete response [CR] was seen in 9 patients [20%] and partial response [PR] in 21 patients [48%]. Overall response was seen in both visceral and non visceral metastases, 18 out of 20 patients [90%] and 12 out of 23 patients [52%] respectively. The response rate is not affected by the extent of the disease. The main dose limiting toxicity was neutropenia, it was seen with its grade 3, 4 in 35% of the patients. We have no cardiac toxicity in our patients. while the other non hematological toxicity [alopecia, vomiting, constipation, neuropathy] were mild, and tolerable. Navelbine/doxorubicin is an active combination which is generally tolerated and can he strongly recommended for the management of those patients requiring an aggressive approach to control widespread metastatic breast cancer