Beta-interferon, retinoids and tamoxifen combination in advanced breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate, in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), a combination of retinoids, beta-interferon (beta-IFN) and tamoxifen (TAM).


METHODS
This trial was conducted from January 1987 to June 1992 in 85 consecutive patients with MBC. All patients had been treated for metastatic disease: 43 patients received chemotherapy, 35 received hormone therapy and 7 received both. Forty-nine patients, with a better prognosis, and a longer disease-free survival (DFS) were treated with beta-IFN 1 x 10(6) IU/m2 subcutaneously three times a week, TAM 10 mg TID, retinyl palmitate (R) 50,000 IU BID. Thirty-six patients with shorter DFS, were first treated with 8 courses of chemotherapy followed, in responders, by beta-IFN, R and TAM.


RESULTS
With a median follow-up of 7 years (minimum 4 years) 59% of 85 evaluable patients responded, 20% had stabilization of disease and 21% progressed. Median response duration was 43 months. Median survival was 28 months and 25% of patients were alive after 9 years. Toxicity of biological therapy was moderate.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that beta-IFN, TAM and R combination is effective as salvage therapy in patients with MBC.
Recchia
F
F
Division of Internal Medicine, Civilian Hospital-Avezzano, C.R.O.F.I. Monterotondo, Rome, Italy. franre@ermes.it
Rea
S
S
De Filippis
S
S
Rosselli
M
M
Corrao
G
G
Gulino
A
A
Sica
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012176:Retinoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D012176:Retinoids; D013629:Tamoxifen; D016899:Interferon-beta