Weekly 5-fluorouracil and high-dose folinic acid in combination with epidoxorubicin as first-line therapy in advanced breast cancer: a phase II study.
A total of 25 patients with advanced breast cancer were treated weekly with i.v. 5-fluorouracil at 350 mg/m2, folinic acid at 500 mg/m2, and epidoxorubicin at 35 mg/m2 as first-line chemotherapy for a maximum of 18 cycles. In all, 24 patients were evaluable for response. Overall, 1 patient achieved a complete response and 11 patients showed a partial response, for an objective response rate of 50%; the median duration of response was 18.3+ months and median survival amounted to 18.8+ months. Side effects were generally mild, with grade II leukopenia occurring in 10 patients and grade III leukopenia, in 1 patient. Other toxicity included nausea and vomiting (82%), diarrhea (48%), stomatitis (48%), and alopecia (92%), all of which were mainly restricted to WHO grades I and II. Our results suggest that leucovorin modulation of 5-fluorouracil can safely be incorporated into combination chemotherapy with epidoxorubicin on the investigated schedule. The observed response rate appears comparable with that obtained with other first-line regimens.
Stöger
H
H
Department of Internal Medicine, Karl Franzens University Graz, Austria.
Bauernhofer
T
T
Kasparek
A K
AK
Schmid
M
M
Moser
R
R
Ploner
F
F
Derstvenscheg
E
E
Kuss
I
I
Wilders-Truschnig
M
M
Steindorfer
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged
D015251:Epirubicin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil