title: Ifosfamide, mesna and epirubicin as second-line chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer.
abstract: The ifosfamide, mesna and epirubicin (IMEpi) combination is administered to 16 patients having advanced metastatic breast carcinoma as second-line chemotherapy. We observed complete response in 6%, partial response in 44% (total overall response rate of 50%), stable disease in 12% and progressive disease in the remaining 38% of the patients. The median remission duration in responders was calculated to be 9.6 months. IMEpi regimen had a tolerable toxicity profile including alopecia, nausea and vomiting, microscopic hematuria, leukopenia and neurotoxicity in which serious complications necessitating discontinuation of the chemotherapy were not encountered. It might be concluded that IMEpi chemotherapy combination is an effective alternative among schedules in the management of patients with stage IV breast carcinoma without serious side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kiraz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baltali
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Güler
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barista
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benekli
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Güllü
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kars
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tekuzman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Firat
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; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015080:Mesna / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D015080:Mesna; D007069:Ifosfamide