Reduced serine racemase expression contributes to age-related deficits in hippocampal cognitive function.

To gain insight into the contribution of d-serine to impaired cognitive aging, we compared the metabolic pathway and content of the amino acid as well as d-serine-dependent synaptic transmission and plasticity in the hippocampus of young and old rats of the Wistar and Lou/C/Jall strains. Wistar rats display cognitive impairments with aging that are not found in the latter strain, which is therefore considered a model of healthy aging. Both mRNA and protein levels of serine racemase, the d-serine synthesizing enzyme, were decreased in the hippocampus but not in the cerebral cortex or cerebellum of aged Wistar rats, whereas the expression of d-amino acid oxidase, which degrades the amino acid, was not affected. Consequently, hippocampal levels of endogenous d-serine were significantly lower. In contrast, serine racemase expression and d-serine levels were not altered in the hippocampus of aged Lou/C/Jall rats. Ex vivo electrophysiological recordings in hippocampal slices showed a marked reduction in N-methyl-d-aspartate-receptor (NMDA-R)-mediated synaptic potentials and theta-burst-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 area of aged Wistar rats, which were restored by exogenous d-serine. In contrast, NMDA-R activation, LTP induction and responses to d-serine were not altered in aged Lou/C/Jall rats. These results further strengthen the notion that the serine racemase-dependent pathway is a prime target of hippocampus-dependent cognitive deficits with aging. Understanding the processes that specifically affect serine racemase during aging could thus provide key insights into the treatment of memory deficits in the elderly.

[The role of imaging in the assessment of vascularity at hand and wrist]. / Apport de l'imagerie dans le diagnostic de la vascularisation osseuse à la main et au poignet.

The viability of the bone is compromised in two main situations at the wrist: Kienböck's disease and scaphoid nonunion with avascular necrosis. Plain radiography and CT allow an accurate anatomical approach of morphological changes associated with avascular necrosis of the lunate and the scaphoid fracture with complications. CT is readily available to detect nondisplaced fractures. However, early forms of necrosis can be misdiagnosed and evaluation of bone vitality is impossible. MRI is the best imaging modality to detect avascular necrosis and the intravenous injection of gadolinium improves the specificity of diagnosis of necrosis. The lack of enhancement of the proximal fragment of the scaphoid leads the surgeon to use a vascular graft in the treatment of nonunion. The technique has its limitations. The bone necrosis is histologically complex and contrast enhancement does not mean necessarily viability. However, MRI is still the most powerful imaging modality in the assessment of the bone marrow.

Contribution of the d-Serine-Dependent Pathway to the Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Cognitive Aging.

An association between age-related memory impairments and changes in functional plasticity in the aging brain has been under intense study within the last decade. In this article, we show that an impaired activation of the strychnine-insensitive glycine site of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDA-R) by its agonist d-serine contributes to deficits of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of memory-impaired aged rats. Supplementation with exogenous d-serine prevents the age-related deficits of isolated NMDA-R-dependent synaptic potentials as well as those of theta-burst-induced long-term potentiation and synaptic depotentiation. Endogenous levels of d-serine are reduced in the hippocampus with aging, that correlates with a weaker expression of serine racemase synthesizing the amino acid. On the contrary, the affinity of d-serine binding to NMDA-R is not affected by aging. These results point to a critical role for the d-serine-dependent pathway in the functional alterations of the brain underlying memory impairment and provide key information in the search for new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of memory deficits in the elderly.

[MRI of the post-traumatic penis]. / IRM de la verge: intérêt dans le bilan post-traumatique.

Penile trauma, though rare, requires specialized management. Fibrotic sequelae from lesions of the tunica albuginea and corpora cavernosa must be prevented given their impact of the erectile function. Knowledge of penile anatomy enables acquisition and interpretation of penile MRI, preferably performed in the first few hours following injury. Tear of the tunica albuginea must be identified since it requires surgical management. Other lesions may be present at the acute (hematoma) or chronic (fibrosis, arteriocavernous fistula) phases. MRI, non-invasive and painless, is the imaging modality of choice in the multiplanar evaluation of traumatic injuries of the penis.

Variations in schedules of ifosfamide administration: a better understanding of its implications on pharmacokinetics through a randomized cross-over study.

PURPOSE: The metabolism of ifosfamide is a delicate balance between a minor activation pathway (4-hydroxylation) and a mainly toxification pathway (N-dechloroethylation), and there remains uncertainty as to the optimal intravenous schedule. METHODS: This study assesses ifosfamide pharmacokinetics (PK) according to two standard schedules. Using a 1:1 randomized trial design, we prospectively evaluated ifosfamide PK on two consecutive cycles of 3 g/m2/day for 3 days (9 g/m2/cycle) given in one of two schedules either by continuous infusion (CI) or short (3 h) infusion. Highly sensitive analytical methods allowed determination of concentrations of ifosfamide and the key metabolites 4-hydroxy-ifosfamide, 2- and 3-dechloroethyl-ifosfamide. RESULTS: Extensive PK analysis was available in 12 patients and showed equivalence between both schedules (3 h versus CI) based on area under the curves (micromol/l x h) for ifosfamide, 4-hydroxy-ifosfamide, 2- and 3-dechloroethyl-ifosfamide (9,379 +/- 2,638 versus 8,307 +/- 1,995, 152 +/- 59 versus 161 +/- 77, 1,441 +/- 405 versus 1,388 +/- 393, and 2,808 +/- 508 versus 2,634 +/- 508, respectively, all P > 0.2). The classical auto-induction of metabolism over the 3 days of infusion was confirmed for both schedules. CONCLUSION: This study confirms similar PK for both active and toxic metabolites of ifosfamide in adult cancer patients when 9 g/m2 of ifosfamide is administered over 3 days by CI or daily 3-h infusions.

Age-related effects of the neuromodulator D-serine on neurotransmission and synaptic potentiation in the CA1 hippocampal area of the rat.

The effects of the co-agonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) D-serine on glutamatergic neurotransmission and synaptic potentiation were studied in the CA1 hippocampal field of young (3-5 months old) and aged (25-27 months old) Sprague-Dawley rats using ex vivo extracellular electrophysiological recording techniques. Exogenous d-serine depressed fast neurotransmission mediated by the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid/kainate subtype of glutamate receptors in young but not in aged rats by acting on inhibitory glycinergic interneurons. In contrast, D-serine dose-dependently enhanced NMDAr-mediated synaptic responses in both groups of animals, but with a larger magnitude in aged rats, thus preventing the age-related decrease in NMDAr activation. D-serine also increased the magnitude of long-term potentiation in aged but not in young rats. Finally, D-serine levels were dramatically reduced in hippocampal tissues of aged rats. Taken together, these results indicate a weaker activation of the NMDAr glycine modulatory site by endogenous D-serine in aged animals, which accounts for a reduced NMDAr contribution to synaptic plasticity in ageing.

A phase II study of Yondelis (trabectedin, ET-743) as a 24-h continuous intravenous infusion in pretreated advanced breast cancer.

Yondelis (trabectedin, ET-743) is a novel marine-derived anticancer compound found in the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata. It is currently under phase II/III development in breast cancer, hormone refractory prostate cancer, sarcomas and ovarian cancer. Activity in breast cancer experimental models has been reported, and preliminary evidence of activity in this setting during the phase I programme has also been observed. The present study assessed the activity and feasibility of trabectedin in women with advanced breast cancer previously treated with conventional therapies. Patients with advanced disease previously treated with at least one but not more than two regimens that included taxanes or anthracyclines as palliative therapy were eligible. Trabectedin 1.5 mg m(-2) was administered as a 24-h continuous infusion every 3 weeks. Patients were kept on therapy until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient refusal. Twenty-seven patients were included between April 1999 and September 2000. Their median age was 54 years (range: 36-67) and 63% of them had two metastatic sites. Twenty-two patients were performance status 1. All patients had previously received anthracyclines, and 23 out of 27 patients had received taxanes. Of 21 patients with measurable disease, three confirmed partial responses, one unconfirmed partial response and two minor responses (49 and 32% tumour shrinkage) were observed; six patients had stable disease. Median survival was 10 months (95% confidence interval: 4.88-15.18). Transient and noncumulative transaminitis was observed in most of the patients. The pharmacokinetic profile of trabectedin in this patient's population is in line with the overall data available with this schedule. The policy of dose adjustments based on the intercycle peaks of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase appears to have a positive impact in the therapeutic index of trabectedin. Trabectedin can induce response and tumour control in previously treated advanced breast cancer, with manageable toxicity, thus warranting further development as a single agent or in combination regimens.

A phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic study of capecitabine (Xeloda) and irinotecan combination therapy (XELIRI) in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal tumours.

Capecitabine is a highly active oral fluoropyrimidine that is an attractive alternative to 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer treatment. The current study, undertaken in 27 patients with gastrointestinal tumours, aimed to assess the toxicity and potential for significant pharmacokinetic interactions of a combination regimen incorporating capecitabine with 3-weekly irinotecan (XELIRI). Irinotecan (200 and 250 mg m(-2)) was administered as a 90-min infusion on day 1 in combination with escalating capecitabine doses (700-1250 mg m(-2) twice daily) administered on days 2-15 of a 3-week treatment cycle. Pharmacokinetics were characterised on days 1 and 2 of the first two cycles. A total of 103 treatment cycles were administered. The principal dose-limiting toxicities were diarrhoea and neutropenia. Capecitabine 1150 mg m(-2) twice daily with irinotecan 250 mg m(-2) was identified as the maximum-tolerated dose and capecitabine 1000 mg m(-2) with irinotecan 250 mg m(-2) was identified as the recommended dose for further study. Analyses confirmed that there were no significant pharmacokinetic interactions between the two agents. The combination was clinically active, with complete and partial responses achieved in heavily pretreated patients. This study indicates that XELIRI is a potentially feasible and clinically active regimen in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.

Efficacy and safety of single agent capecitabine in pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients from the French compassionate use program.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective source review identifying predictive factors and assessing safety and efficacy in pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients treated with capecitabine in a French compassionate-use program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 197 patients received capecitabine at an initial total dose 0.25-3.0 g/m2/day, twice daily for 14 consecutive days, every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Median patient age was 56 years (range, 31-88), 19% had performance status (PS) 3-4. Prior palliative and adjuvant treatment was reported in 96 and 61% of patients respectively. Best overall response rate (ORR) was 15% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11-21%) and 49% had benefit (CR, PR or SD). Median time to progression (TTP) and overall survival were 4.8 and 14.7 months, respectively. Median TTP in responders was 8.9 months (95%CI 6.1-11.7). Grade 3/4 neutropenia and grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred in 8 and 3% of patients respectively. Hand-foot syndrome (grade 3/4 in 16% of patients), diarrhea, stomatitis and asthenia were prevalent. Multivariate analysis showed ORR was significantly influenced by PS > or = 2 (p = 0.004), time from metastases diagnosis to capecitabine treatment (p = 0.015) and presence of liver metastases at inclusion (p = 0.047). Abnormal liver function tests at baseline were associated with severe thrombocytopenia and anemia. Four treatment-related deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: Capecitabine is active in heavily pretreated MBC patients and has a favorable toxicity profile with the added advantage of being an oral drug administered in an outpatient setting.

[A case of muscular and canal of nuck involvement by endometriosis]. / Un cas de localisation d'endométriose musculaire et du canal de nuck.

Endometriosis is defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and having the functional property of menstrual bleeding. We report a case of endometriosis involving the abdominal wall muscles and canal of Nuck in a 28 year old woman. Abdominal wall sonography showed a hypoechoic lesion at the rectus abdominis insertion. T1W and T2W MRI images showed a hemorrhagic high signal intensity lesion in the muscle. MRI also showed a similar lesion in the canal of Nuck.

Imaging of membranous dysmenorrhea.

Membranous dysmenorrhea is an unusual clinical entity. It is characterized by the expulsion of huge fragments of endometrium during the menses, favored by hormonal abnormality or drug intake. This report describes a case with clinical, US, and MRI findings before the expulsion. Differential diagnoses are discussed.

Results of a phase III prospective, randomised trial, comparing mitoxantrone and vinorelbine (MV) in combination with standard FAC/FEC in front-line therapy of metastatic breast cancer.

This comparative phase III trial of mitoxantrone+vinorelbine (MV) versus 5-fluorouracil+cyclophosphamide+either doxorubicin or epirubicin (FAC/FEC) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer was conducted to determine whether MV would produce equivalent efficacy, while resulting in an improved tolerance in relation to alopecia and nausea/vomiting. This multicentre study recruited and randomised 281 patients with metastatic breast cancer; 280 were evaluable for response survival and toxicity (138 received FAC/FEC, 142 received MV). Patient characteristics were matched in each arm and stratification for prior exposure to adjuvant therapy was made prospectively. The overall response rate (ORR) was equivalent in the two arms (33.3% for FAC/FEC versus 34.5% for MV), but MV was more effective in patients who had received prior adjuvant therapy (13% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3-23) for FAC/FEC versus 33% (95% CI 20-47) for MV P=0.025) with a better progression-free survival (PFS) (5 months (range 1-18 months) versus 8 months (range 1-27 months); P=0.0007 for FAC/FEC versus MV, respectively) while FAC/FEC was more effective in previously untreated patients (ORR 43% (95% CI 33-53) versus 35% (95% CI 25-45), P=0.26; PFS 9 months (range 0-29 months) versus 6 months (range 0-26 months) P=0.014). Toxicity was monitored through the initial six cycles of therapy; febrile neutropenia and delayed haematological recovery was more frequent for MV (P=0.001), while nausea/vomiting of grades 3-4 was greater for FAC/FEC (P=0.031), as was alopecia (P=0.0001), cardiotoxicity was the same for the two regimens. MV represents a chemotherapy combination with equivalent efficacy to standard FAC/FEC and improved results for patients who have previously received adjuvant chemotherapy. Toxicity must be balanced to allow for increased haematological suppression and risk of febrile neutropenia with MV compared with a higher risk of subjectively unpleasant side-effects such as nausea/vomiting and alopecia with FAC/FEC.

[Neurotrichinosis: a case report with MRI evaluation]. / Neurotrichinose: à propos d'une observation documentée par IRM.

Neurological complications are rare in trichinosis. A case of trichinosis involving the central nervous system documented by MRI is presented. To our knowledge, only three cases of neurotrichinosis with MRI abnormalities have been already reported. The physiopathological mechanism are discussed (transport of the parasite through the blood-stream, immuno-allergic reaction or eosinophilic neurotoxic effect).

Is adjuvant tamoxifen recommended in post-menopausal node-negative breast cancer patients with high estrogen receptor values?

The impact of ER levels on the response to tamoxifen was evaluated in 1,623 postmenopausal primary breast cancer patients treated at our center (median follow-up 8.2 years). In patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen a significantly longer disease-free survival (DFS) was observed when ER levels were elevated (p<0.00001). Very high ER (>424 fmol/mg protein) appeared to be detrimental in node-negative patients not treated with tamoxifen.

Hepatitis C virus infection and lymphoproliferative diseases in France: a national study. The GERMIVIC Group.

The putative role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the pathophysiology of lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD) is supported by North American and southern European studies reporting high HCV seroprevalence in patients with B-cell-non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In order to evaluate the situation in France, we conducted a retrospective national study about the association of chronic HCV infection and LPD. 72 Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases departments were contacted. Response rate was 51.4%. We recorded 43 LPD (19 males, 24 females): 31 B-cell-NHL, 4 Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, 3 chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 2 multiple myeloma, 2 lymphomas of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, and 1 Hodgkin's disease. Mean age at HCV diagnosis was 62 years (range 33-84). In 16 cases, LPD occurred in patients known to be HCV-infected. For 11 patients, LPD diagnosis preceded the diagnosis of HCV infection, whereas diagnosis was done simultaneously in 11 patients. For those with accurate infection date, mean interval between both events was 15.2 years. Fourteen patients had HCV extrahepatic manifestations: 9 mixed cryoglobulinemia, including 7 with NHL, 5 sicca syndrome (5 NHL), and both in one patient. Cohort of HCV-infected patients could be accurately determined for 16 departments, totaling 1,485 patients and 37 cases. Thus, from our data the frequency of LPD among HCV-infected patients approximates 2. 49%. Despite possible bias inherent to this retrospective study, our data support the hypothesis of HCV-associated LPD and particularly B-cell-NHL. In France, this association is much lower than in Italy. Further studies are needed to assess the precise role of HCV in the multistep process leading to monoclonal proliferation.

Treatment with a nonanthracycline regimen in advanced breast cancer: vinorelbine, cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil with folinic acid.

The efficacy of combination therapy with vinorelbine, cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil was assessed in women who had received no prior therapy for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Sixty patients with metastatic breast cancer who had finished any adjuvant therapy at least 6 months previously and who had not received treatment for advanced disease were entered onto the study. The schedule consisted of vinorelbine (Navelbine, Pierre Fabre Medicament) 25 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 on day 1, and 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2 followed by folinic acid 200 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8. Treatment was repeated every 21 days up to a maximum of 8 cycles. Objective responses were observed in 27 of 60 patients (45%; CI95 32.4-57.6) including 4 complete responses (6.7%; CI95 0-13) and 23 partial responses (38.3%; CI95 22.5-54.1). The responses were achieved in both visceral and nonvisceral sites and at the same rate for patients with multiple sites of disease. Neutropenia was dose limiting, with 40% of patients affected at grade 3 or 4, while other hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity was very mild. This schedule achieves good levels of response without the use of an anthracycline, so it is suitable either for patients who have been extensively exposed to anthracyclines during adjuvant therapy or for those who have other contraindications to their use.

[Mitomycin-vinorelbine combination as second-line chemotherapy in metastatic cancer of the breast]. / Association mitomycine-vinorelbine en deuxième ligne chimiothérapique dans le cancer du sein métastatique.

Fourty-six patients (41 evaluable) were treated in second line chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) by an association of mitomycin (M), vinorelbine (V) (M 8 mg/m2 D1, V 25 mg/m2 D1 and DI 8 every 4 weeks). Median age was 58 years (36-78), median performance status 1 (0-3). Thirty-seven per cent of the tumors were estrogen receptors positive and 17% progesterone receptors positive. Seventeen patients received an adjuvant chemotherapy and 39 a first line chemotherapy with anthracycline (A). The median number of metastatic sites was 2 (1-4) and 27 patients (67%) had visceral metastases. Twelve patients were refractory to anthracyclines and 5 resistant. No toxic death nor hemolytic uremic syndrome were observed. Seven (3.7%) febrile neutropenias happened responsible for 4 hospitalizations. A grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was noted in 34% of the cycles but no other clinic toxicity nor grade 3 or 4 thrombopenia. The rate of objective response (OR) was 37.5% with 2 complete responses (CR) and 13 partial responses (PR). Seven patients had stable disease and 18 progressed. The rate of hepatic OR was 31%. Five (40%) A-refractory patients responded but no resistant patient. Median OR time was 10 weeks (8-12) and median OR duration was 5 months (3-6). Median survival was 11.5 months. MV association is well tolerated and effective in second line chemotherapy for MBC even with hepatic metastasis and in patients refractory to anthracyclines.

Mitomycin-vinorelbine as second line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer

Fourty-six patients (41 evaluable) were treated in second line chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) by an association of mitomycin (M), vinorelbine (V) (M 8 mg/m2 D1, V 25 mg/m2 D1 and DI 8 every 4 weeks). Median age was 58 years (36-78), median performance status 1 (0-3). Thirty-seven per cent of the tumors were estrogen receptors positive and 17% progesterone receptors positive.eventeen patients received an adjuvant chemotherapy and 39 a first line chemotherapy with anthracyclin (A). The median number of metastatic sites was 2 (1-4) and 27 patients (67%) had visceral metastases. Twelve patients were refractory to anthracyclins and 5 resistant. No toxic death nor hemolytic uremic syndrom were observed.even (3,7%) febrile neutropenias happened responsible for 4 hospitalizations. A grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was noted in 34% of the cycles but no other clinic toxicity nor grade 3 or 4 thrombopenia. The rate of objective response (OR) was 37,5% with 2 complete responses (CR) and 13 partial responses (PR).even patients had stable disease and 18 progressed. The rate of hepatic OR was 31%. Five (40%) A-refractory patients responded but no resistant patient. Median OR time was 10 weeks (8-12) and median OR duration was 5 months (3-6). Median survival was 11,5 months. MV association is well tolerated and effective in second line chemotherapy for MBC even with hepatic metastasis and in patients refractory to anthracyclins.

Phase II trial of vinorelbine/doxorubicin as first-line therapy of advanced breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The study investigated the therapeutic effects of a combination of Navelbine (vinorelbine or 5'noranhydrovinblastine; Pierre Fabre Médicament, Boulogne, France) and doxorubicin in women who had received no prior chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven patients with progressive and assessable advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had received no prior chemotherapy except in an adjuvant setting were entered onto the study. Eighty-nine patients were assessable for toxicity and response by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria; the other eight patients were excluded because they did not meet entry criteria or because of protocol violations. Navelbine was administered at 25 mg/m2 by 30-minute intravenous (IV) infusion on days 1 and 8, and doxorubicin at 50 mg/m2 by slow IV infusion on day 1, with each course repeated at 3-week intervals. Patients were treated for a maximum of 11 cycles or until progression or major toxicity. RESULTS: Objective responses were observed in 66 of 89 assessable patients (74%; 95% confidence interval, 63% to 85%). There were nineteen (21%) complete responses (CRs) and 47 (53%) partial responses (PRs). In addition, 20 patients (22.5%) had stable disease and three (3.5%) progressed while on treatment. Responses were observed at all sites of metastatic disease. Forty-one of 58 patients with visceral disease responded (71%) and 25 of 31 with soft tissue and bone disease experienced an objective response (81%). The median duration of response was 12 months (range, 2.4 to 40.5), and the median overall survival was 27.5 months (range, 4 to 46). Neutropenia was dose-limiting, with 36 patients (41%) experiencing grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Of 727 cycles administered, there were 20 admissions (3%) for treatment of febrile neutropenia, involving 14 of 89 patients (16%). Treatment-related cardiotoxicity at grade 2 to 4 was experienced by 10% of patients and necessitated the interruption of treatment in 1.5% of cycles. Other side effects were uncommon or manageable by conventional means. CONCLUSION: The encouraging response rates and duration achieved with this combination of Navelbine/doxorubicin under the conditions of this study deserve further randomized comparative trials with standard regimens.

Phase II study of elliptinium acetate salvage treatment of advanced breast cancer.

Elliptinium acetate (Celiptium) is an intercalating agent belonging to the ellipticine family. This agent has demonstrated clinical activity as salvage treatment in breast cancer using a weekly regimen. However, its clinical use was hampered by important toxicities such as xerostomia and immune-mediated haemolytic reactions due to development of anti-elliptinium IgM antibodies. We have studied 83 patients previously treated for metastatic breast cancer using elliptinium acetate with a different schedule: 80 mg/m2 daily for 3 consecutive days every 21 days. In 80 evaluable patients, an objective response (complete + partial response) was obtained in 5 of 30 patients with visceral metastases (13%), in 6 of 21 patients with soft tissue metastases (29%), and in 3 of 20 patients with mixed metastases (15%). The overall objective response rate was 14/80 (18%, 95% confidence interval = 10-26%). Moderate to severe xerostomia occurred in 10% of patients, while no anti-elliptinium antibodies or haemolytic reactions were detected using this schedule. No significant haematological toxicity, as usually reported with this drug, was observed. Elliptinium acetate has modest but definite activity as salvage treatment of breast cancer. The 3-week schedule seems as active as and less toxic than the weekly schedule.