Doxorubicin in advanced breast cancer: influence of schedule on response, survival and quality of life.
The influence of scheduling of doxorubicin on response, survival and quality of life was assessed in a randomised trial in patients with advanced breast cancer, none of whom had previously received cytotoxic chemotherapy for advanced disease. 28 patients received 75 mg/m2 doxorubicin every 3 weeks for four courses (arm 1) and 31 patients received 25 mg/m2 weekly for 12 courses (arm 2). Response rates and median time to progression were similar in the two arms and median survival was 8 months in both arms. However, amongst patients receiving treatment every 3 weeks, psychological distress measured using the Rotterdam symptom checklist fell significantly over the course; no such change was observed in those treated weekly. Physical symptoms related to cancer improved during treatment similarly for both groups.
Richards
M A
MA
Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Guy's Hospital, London, U.K.
Hopwood
P
P
Ramirez
A J
AJ
Twelves
C J
CJ
Ferguson
J
J
Gregory
W M
WM
Swindell
R
R
Scrivener
W
W
Miller
J
J
Howell
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004317:Doxorubicin