title: Phase II trial of 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, and N,N1,N11-triethylenethiophosphoramide (thiotepa) in patients with advanced breast cancer.
abstract: A total of 35 women with advanced, metastatic breast cancer were treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of folinic acid 500 mg/m2 over 2 hours administered with 600 mg/m2 of 5FU at the midpoint of the folinic acid infusion weekly for 6 weeks, plus 60 mg/m2 of thiotepa on day 1 and day 28. The cycle was repeated every 8 weeks. Patients were evaluated for toxicity weekly. Response was evaluated at the end of each 8-week cycle. The median age was 55 years (range: 34-67). Prior to this study 30 patients had received chemotherapy; 13 had 1 regimen; 17 had 2 or more regimens; 8 had 5FU treatment. The overall response rate was 40% (1 complete and 13 partial); median duration of response was 4 months. Four of 8 patients with prior 5FU responded. Hematologic toxicity was significant; nadir WBC count: < 1,000/mm3 (10 patients); 1,000-1,999/mm (13 patients); nadir platelet count: < 20,000/mm3 (8 patients): 20,000-49,000/mm3 (8 patients); 50,000-99,000/mm3 (10 patients). We conclude that the combination of thiotepa, 5FU, and leucovorin had significant myelotoxicity and do not recommend its routine use in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hamm
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seeger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blumenreich
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hadley
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hendler
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Woodcock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D013852:Thiotepa / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D013852:Thiotepa; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil