Cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, high-dose folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil (super-FEC) as first-line chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer: preliminary results.
Forty patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated with a new combination regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, high-dose folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil (super-FEC). A major objective response was observed in 32 patients (80%). Among these, 11 patients (27%) experienced a complete remission. The median duration of response was 10+ and 12+ months for CR and PR, respectively. The most common side-effect was oral mucositis (Grade III = nine patients; grade IV = two patients), while haematological toxicity was virtually absent. Considering the high-risk characteristics of the vast majority of the enrolled patients (75% had dominant visceral disease), these preliminary results suggest that super-FEC has a powerful activity in poor-prognosis metastatic breast cancer with an acceptable degree of toxicity.
Zaniboni
A
A
IIIa Medicina, Servizio di Oncologia, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
Simoncini
E
E
Marpicati
P
P
Montini
E
E
Ferrari
V
V
Ferragni
A
A
Boari
L
L
Marini
G
G
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; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged
D015251:Epirubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil