title: Ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (ICE) in metastatic and refractory breast cancer.
abstract: Twenty-five patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated with ICE after failure of previous chemotherapy. Their median age was 50 years (range 36-73). All but 1 patient had multiple sites of metastases. Nineteen (76%) patients had undergone two or more chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease prior to ICE. The performance status (PS) of the patients was Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0:6; 1:12; 2:5; 3:2. Ifosfamide 1.25 g/m(2) over 3 h D1-3 along with mesna, etoposide 80 mg/m(2) D1-3 and carboplatin 300 mg/m(2) D1 were given every 3 weeks. We observed a partial response in 10 patients (40%, 95% confidence interval 21-62%). The response duration ranged from 1 to 15 months with a median duration of 4.5 months. The survival of all 25 patients ranged from 10 days to 25 months, with a median of 9 months. All 25 patients were evaluable for toxicity. Thirteen patients (52%) experienced grade 4 hematological toxicity, which improved after growth factor support. Four patients had leukopenic fever, 1 had gram-negative sepsis, while 2 had Clostridium difficile enterocolitis and another had herpes zoster reactivation. Four patients (16%) experienced grade 3-4 gastrointestinal (G-I) toxicity. No hepatic or renal toxicity was observed (1 patient had microscopic hematuria). One patient died of G-I bleed, and another patient died at home of undetermined cause. We conclude that ICE is an effective salvage regimen in metastatic and refractory breast cancer, even in heavily pretreated patients, and is a tolerable treatment when used with growth factor.
authors.affiliation: Interlakes Oncology and Hematology, P.C., 211 White Spruce Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14623, USA.
authors.forename: A Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Asbury
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boros
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garrow
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rubins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005047:Etoposide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012449:Safety; D016879:Salvage Therapy
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D007069:Ifosfamide