title: Oral chemotherapy with idarubicin plus cyclophosphamide in advanced breast cancer.
abstract: An oral chemotherapy schedule based on idarubicin and cyclophosphamide was evaluated in 31 advanced breast cancer patients. Out of 27 patients evaluable for response, 1 (3.7%) achieved a complete response and 5 (18.5%) a partial response, with an objective response rate of 22.2% (95% confidence limits 8.6-42.3%). The median time to progression was 7 months (range 3-12). Fourteen patients (51.9%) showed a disease stabilization, and 7 progressed (25.9%). Toxicity was mild. Considering the low response rate, but also the advantages of oral chemotherapy and the mild toxicity observed, oral idarubicin plus cyclophosphamide can be considered as a second-choice regimen in advanced breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pronzato
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertelli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amoroso
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pennucci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gardin
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guido
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosso
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015255:Idarubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D015255:Idarubicin