A phase I dose-escalating study of docetaxel plus folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil in anthracycline-pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Since the need for nonanthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimens increases with the increased use of anthracyclines in earlier stages of breast cancer, we investigated the feasibility of the combination of docetaxel and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with folinic acid (FA).


METHODS
Anthracycline-pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer were eligible. Docetaxel was administered as a one-hour infusion every three weeks on day 1, FA 500 mg/m2 (fixed dose) as a two-hour infusion on days 1 and 15 and 5-FU as a 24-hour infusion on days 1 and 15. The dose levels tested were (docetaxel/5FU in mg/m2): 60/1800, 75/1800, 85/1800, 100/1800, and 100/2100.


RESULTS
Altogether 28 patients were accrued and treated in this multicentre open-label study. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were not observed at dose level I, and in two patients in each of the higher dose levels. DLTs observed were grade III/IV infection (n=4), febrile neutropenia (n=2), diarrhoea (n=1) and erythema (n=1). Partial responses were observed in 10 out of 24 evaluable patients (42%, 95% confidence interval 22.1 to 63.4%). Dose escalation beyond the highest dose level (100/2100) was deemed inappropriate, because these dose levels correspond to recommended dose levels for each drug as a single agent.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination of docetaxel (100 mg/m2, one-hour infusion q3 weeks on day 1), FA (500 mg/m2, two-hour infusion on days 1 and 15) and 5-FU (2100 mg/m2, 24-hour infusion on days 1 and 15) is a feasible regimen with encouraging activity in anthracycline-pretreated patients.
Slee
P H Th J
PH
Department of Internal Medicine, St. Antonius Hospital, PO Box 2500, 3430 EM Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. p.slee@antonius.net
Rodenburg
C J
CJ
Nortier
J W R
JW
van Bochove
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000077143:Docetaxel; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018943:Anthracyclines; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil