[High dose chemotherapy in metastatic carcinoma of the breast].
OBJECTIVE
To verify tolerance and clinical efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC).


METHODS
We submitted to HDCT with autologous peripheral blood cells transplant 66 patients, with MBC responding to induction chemotherapy. The condizioning regimen was ICE: iphosphamide 3.3 g/m2 dd. -8/-6, carboplatin 450 mg/m2 plus etoposide 400 mg/m2 dd. -5/-3 (21 patients = 78%); CTM: cyclophosphamide 100 mg/kg dd. -4/-3, tyothepa 500 mg:m2 d.-5, mytoxantrone 40 mg/m2 d. -6 (6 patients, 22%).


RESULTS
Median number of aphereses was 2 (range 1-5), median amount of CD34+ cells/kg bw of 10 x 10E6 (range 3.5-38.2). Median recovery time was 10th day for PMN (range 8-37) while for platelets it was 9th day (range 8-37): total hospital stay was of 24 days (range 22-48). After induction therapy we had PR in 13/27 metastatic patients (48%) and CR in 14/27 (52%). After conditioning treatment we had PR in 12/27 (44%) and CR in 15/27 (56%). Median time to progression was 19 months (range 7-38) and median survival 52 months (range 7-59+), with 30% surviving beyond 4 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Feasibility of HDCT in advanced breast cancer seems verified. The promising results need to be confirmed.
Lelli
G
G
Divisione di Oncologia, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, IRCCS, S. Giovanni Rotondo, Italia.
Tartarone
A
A
D'Addetta
C
C
D'Aloia
M
M
Di Maggio
G
G
Morelli
F
F
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
Chemioterapia ad alte dosi del carcinoma della mammella metastatico.