title: Low-dose continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil. Evaluation in advanced breast carcinoma.
abstract: Low-dose continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (LDCI-FU) was administered to 28 women with advanced breast carcinoma. Daily doses ranged from 175 to 250 mg/m2. The LDCI-FU was delivered continuously until the appearance of toxicity and was reinstituted at a 20% dose reduction after toxicity completely resolved. Patients with a median age of 56 years and a median performance status of 60% (Karnofsky) had been previously treated with combination chemotherapy. Complete responses were observed in two patients with soft tissue metastases. Thirteen patients experienced partial responses with a median duration of response of 4+ months. Partial responses were predominantly observed in soft tissue disease; however, five patients with visceral metastases experienced partial tumor regression. Median survival for the study group was 4+ months. Hormonal receptor status did not predict response to LDCI-FU. Toxicities included stomatitis, ten patients; hand-foot syndrome, eight patients; mild leukopenia, two patients; moderate thrombocytopenia, two patients; diarrhea, three patients; ataxia, three patients. Catheter-related toxicities of sepsis and/or thrombosis occurred in six patients. Because of the demonstrated activity in previously treated patients (53% response rate), LDCI-FU should be investigated in combination chemotherapy regimens in untreated breast cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Harper Hospital, Wayne State University, Detroit.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pazdur
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singhakowinta
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Samal
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Vaitkevicius
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate