title: Randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast cancer comparing i.v. CMF to an epirubicin-containing regimen [see comment].
abstract: From January 1985 to December 1987, 228 women with breast cancer smaller than 3 cm were treated by surgery +/- radiotherapy. All of them had axillary node involvement (N+) and/or lacked estrogen and progesterone steroid receptors (EPR-). They were randomized in an adjuvant chemotherapy trial comparing 9 intravenous CMF courses (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5FU)--113 patients--to a polychemotherapy consisting of 3 courses of MTV (mitomycin C, thiotepa, vindesine) plus 3 courses of EVM (epirubicin, vincristine, methotrexate)--115 patients. Prognostic factors were well balanced between the two treatment groups. With a 59-month median follow-up, local breast relapses are more frequent in the CMF group, but regional and metastatic recurrences are the same in the two groups. Overall survival is identical. Toxicity is different: alopecia and neurotoxicity are more frequent in the MTV+EVM group, but general and digestive toxicities are equivalent. Haematologic toxicity is greater in the CMF group, requiring more frequent dosage reductions.
authors.affiliation: Fondation Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center of Southwest of France, Bordeaux.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mauriac
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Durand
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chauvergne
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dilhuydy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonichon
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D013852:Thiotepa / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014751:Vindesine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D016685:Mitomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D013852:Thiotepa; D014751:Vindesine; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate