Gemcitabine and vinorelbine in pretreated advanced breast cancer: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Gemcitabine (GEM) and vinorelbine (VNR) are both active against advanced breast cancer (ABC), being able to induce a median ORR of 25% and 40%, respectively. Because of their different mechanism of action and good tolerability, the combination of GEM and VNR has been tested in ABC.


METHODS
Twenty-nine ABC patients pretreated with anthracycline-taxane were treated with GEM 1000 mg/m2 on day 1, 8, 15, and VNR 25 mg/m2 on day 1 and 8 every twenty-eight days. Analysis of toxicity pattern, response rate, TTP and OS were carried out.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine patients were enrolled into the trial. The ORR was 48% (95% CI: 29-67): a CR was observed in three patients (10%; 95% CI: 2-27), while eleven patients (38%; 95 CI: 21-58) achieved PR, eight (28%) had a SD, and seven (24%) progressed. Toxicity was mainly hematological and included: grade 3 leukopenia in 48% of cases without episodes of neutropenic fever, grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 10%, and grade 2 anemia in 7%. Non-hematological toxicities were mild and rather infrequent.


CONCLUSIONS
The GEM-VNR combination seems to be active in pretreated ABC with an acceptable toxicity pattern, and may well reppresent an interesting therapeutic choice after anthracycline/taxane regimens.
Valenza
R
R
Division Medical Oncology, Oncological Hospiral M. Ascoli, Palermo, Italy.
Leonardi
V
V
Gebbia
V
V
Agostara
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D014747:Vinblastine; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine