title: Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and folinic acid (CMFF) as first line chemotherapy for treatment of advanced breast cancer. A pilot study.
abstract: In order to evaluate the maximum tolerable dose of a combination chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and folinate (CMFF), 30 female patients with histopathologically confirmed, previously untreated advanced breast cancer were entered into this pilot study. Chemotherapy consisted of fixed doses for methotrexate (40 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1), 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m2 i.v. on day 2 to 4) and folinic acid (2 x 200 mg/m2 i.v., 0 + 2 h on day 2 to 4). The dose of cyclophosphamide was escalated stepwise, starting with 200 mg/m2 i.v. on day 2 to 4, to 240 mg/m2, 290 mg/m2, 360 mg/m2 and 400 mg/m2, respectively, for each subsequent five patients. Treatment was repeated every four weeks. A total of 92 treatment cycles was given. Myelosuppression was the dose-limiting toxicity: leukopenia WHO grade III or IV was observed after a total of 28 cycles and anemia of equal intensity after 1 cycle. No thrombocytopenia WHO grade III or IV was recorded. Myelotoxicity increased with higher doses of cyclophosphamide. Among non-hematologic toxicities, alopecia was reported in two-thirds of the patients. Nausea and vomiting was noted in 25% of treatment cycles, but in one cycle only WHO grade III was recorded. No other toxicities exceeding WHO grade II occurred.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Division of Special Oncology and Experimental Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glaubitz
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Günter
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lellé
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lück
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kühnle
mesh_terms: 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; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate