An effective low-dose intermittent cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil treatment regimen for metastatic breast cancer.
A low-dose, three-drug regimen, C.M.F. (cyclophosphamide 50 mg, p.o., days 1-14; methotrexate, 25 mg, and 5-fluorouracil, 500 mg, i.v., days 1 and 8; cycled every 28 days) was used in 46 consecutive chemtherapy-eligible women (41 previously hormonally treated) with recurrent breast cancer. Thirteen percent of the patients had complete regressions (C.R.); 33% had partial regressions (P.R.); 26% stabilized; and 28% progressed. In evaluating response by sites of metastases, lymph nodes (30%), lung nodules (22%), and subcutaneous deposits (2/3) had the highest incidence of C.R.; 46-71% of patients with lymph node, lung, subcutaneous, liver, breast, or peritoneal disease showed C.R. or P.R. Skin and pleural disease responded in 30% of patients whereas no patients had radiographic healing of bony metastases. The toxicity was minimal: 7% gastrointestinal, 26% marrow-suppressive, and 7% infectious. This low-dose C.M.F. regimen resulted in regression resulted in regression rates similar to higher dose C.M.F. protocols, which use approximately twice these drug dosages with commensurate toxicity.
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate