Combination chemotherapy in breast cancer: a randomized study of 4 versus 5 drugs.
A randomized clinical trial, involving approximately 100 patients, that compared two combination therapy regimens (5 FU, methotrexate, vincristine, cyclophosphamide with and without prednisone) in advanced breast cancer showed a significantly higher rate of response for the 5-drug therapy group (62.5 versus 44.2%). However, no significant difference in survival has been observed to date. Some differences in toxicity were observed, e.g. a significantly greater number of cases with mild diarrhea for the 5-drug regimen, and a few more cases of sensory loss (not significant) and significantly more severe leukopenia (p value 0.06) for the 4-drug regimen.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate