Phase II study of carboplatin and etoposide as a first line regimen in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The data available on the role of carboplatin and etoposide in breast cancer, especially in patients with no or minimal prior therapy are limited.


METHODS
We performed a phase II study with carboplatin and etoposide as first line treatment in 34 patients with metastatic breast cancer. The treatment regimens was carboplatin 300 mg/m2 day 1, and etoposide 100 mg/m2 days 1, 3 and 5 every four weeks.


RESULTS
Of 33 evaluable patients, 2 achieved complete responses (6%) lasting 4 and 5 months, 7 patients (21%) achieved partial responses with a median duration of 6+ (range 5-8) months, 15 patients had stable disease, and 9 progressed during treatment. The major toxicity was myelosuppression WHO grades 3 or 4 leukocytopenia or thrombocytopenia were seen in 15 and 10 patients, respectively. One formally ineligible patient with an impaired renal function died 14 days after the start of treatment because of a septicaemia in the presence of a grade 4 leukocytopenia. Besides this patient no other patient presented with granulocytopenic fever.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the observed response rate of 27% (95% confidence interval 11%-43%) we think that carboplatin and etoposide given in this dose and schedule has probably no clear advantage over the more commonly used regimens.
van der Gaast
A
A
Department of Medical Oncology, Rotterdam Cancer Institute, The Netherlands.
Bontenbal
M
M
Planting
A S
AS
Kok
T C
TC
Splinter
T A
TA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin