M-VAC combination in locally advanced, locally recurrent or metastatic breast carcinoma. A phase II study.
BACKGROUND
The M-VAC combination is very effective in bladder carcinoma, as are all four drugs, as single-agent, in advanced breast carcinoma.


METHODS
M-VAC was given in 27 patients, 4 with locally advanced breast carcinoma, 3 with local recurrence and 20 with distant metastases. The median age was 51 (range 25; 70). Eleven of the 20 patients with metastatic disease has been previously treated with a different chemotherapy.


RESULTS
15 of 26 evaluable patients responded, with 9 (35%) complete remissions and 6 partial responses. The overall response rate (CR plus PR) was 57% (95% confidence interval 38% to 76%). In patients with metastatic disease the median duration of response was 7 months (range 4+; 36+), median time to progression 5 months (range 1; 36+) and median duration of survival 17 months (range 1; 40+).


CONCLUSIONS
The M-VAC combination is very effective in locally advanced, locally recurrent and metastatic breast carcinoma. Further trials are warranted to evaluate whether the activity of this combination is partially schedule-dependent.
Bisagni
G
G
Medical Oncology Division, University Hospital, Parma, Italy.
Cocconi
G
G
Ceci
G
G
De Lisi
V
V
Di Blasio
B
B
Lottici
R
R
Passalacqua
R
R
Finardi
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014747:Vinblastine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate