title: Combination chemotherapy with oral etoposide plus intravenous cyclophosphamide in liver metastases of breast cancer.
abstract: Sixteen patients with hepatic metastases of histologically documented breast cancer were treated with etoposide (VP 16-213) and cyclophosphamide. Previously, 6 had shown relapse in the liver after adjuvant chemotherapy, 2 had failed to respond to another chemotherapy combination, and 8 had never undergone chemotherapy. Fifty percent responded to treatment, including 1 complete remission and 7 partial responses. Median survival was 16 months and median duration of response was 13 months. All patients showed alopecia and moderate leukopenia; 13 experienced moderate gastrointestinal toxicity; there was 1 mild case of anemia and 1 case of moderate hemorrhagic cystitis. This study suggests that the combination of VP 16-213 and cyclophosphamide is a well-tolerated and effective treatment in advanced breast cancer patients with liver metastases.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Coordinación Oncológia, Hospital Clinic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Estape
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Viñolas
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Santabarbara
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Grau
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gardella
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide