title: Phase II study with sequential L-asparaginase and methotrexate in advanced refractory breast cancer.
abstract: The combination of sequential L-asparaginase and methotrexate (MTX) was evaluated in 33 patients with advanced refractory breast cancer. There were nine partial responses and one complete response, giving an overall response rate of 30% and a median duration of response of 8 months. Five of 17 patients (28%) who had received prior MTX at doses of less than 50 mg/m2 responded. Toxicity was acceptable. Moderate-to-severe stomatitis occurred in most patients and was the dose-limiting factor. Myelosuppression was minimal until the dose of MTX was escalated to greater than or equal to 180 mg/m2. The maximum tolerated dose of MTX was 280 mg/m2 and the median toxic dose was 220 mg/m2. These data indicate a selective "rescue" from MTX damage to normal target tissue by L-asparaginase. The antitumor effect observed even in patients who had been previously exposed to conventional doses of MTX suggests a possible improved therapeutic index of MTX given sequentially with L-asparaginase in this combination.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001215:Asparaginase; D008727:Methotrexate