title: Mitoxantrone in advanced breast cancer--a phase II study with special attention to cardiotoxicity.
abstract: Thirty-four patients with advanced breast cancer, who had not received previous chemotherapy for metastatic disease, were treated with mitoxantrone 14 mg/m2 i.v. every 21 days. Eleven of 33 evaluable patients (33%) achieved a partial response; there were no complete responders. Before commencing mitoxantrone, and 3-monthly thereafter, radionuclide assessment of ventricular performance was obtained at rest and in response to stress. Ten patients showed a deterioration in ejection fraction, two of whom developed congestive cardiac failure. Dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression. Nausea and vomiting were generally mild and transient. Alopecia was minimal in most patients. Mitoxantrone is an active, well-tolerated new drug in the treatment of advanced breast cancer, but cardiotoxicity may occur in a proportion of patients. Further investigation is required to determine the precise nature, incidence and prognosis of cardiotoxicity encountered with mitoxantrone.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000139:chemically induced; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008942:Mitoxantrone; D009196:Myeloproliferative Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008942:Mitoxantrone