High efficacy of gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with predominantly anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated metastatic breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Effective and tolerable regimens are sought specifically in patients who have been pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes. Gemcitabine and cisplatin demonstrated synergistic activity in vitro and provides a new mechanism of drug interaction.


METHODS
Previously treated patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were enrolled in a multicentre phase II study. Treatment consisted of gemcitabine (750 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (30 mg/m(2)) given on day 1 and 8 every 3 weeks.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients were recruited, all of whom had previously received chemotherapy (35 pretreated with taxanes, 33 pretreated with anthracyclines). A median of 5 cycles of the study treatment was delivered. There were 2 complete and 13 partial responses, for an overall response rate of 40% (95% confidence interval: 23-56%). Thirteen patients (35%) had stable disease. Tumour response appeared independent of previously applied chemotherapy. Median time-to-progression was 6 months and median overall survival was 13.5 months. Main toxicities were leucopenia and thrombocytopenia (grade 3/4 in 26 and 16% of cycles, respectively). Non-haematological toxicity was rarely severe.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin given on 2 out of 3 weeks is well tolerated and active in heavily pretreated patients with MBC, even after prior exposure to anthracyclines and taxanes.
Heinemann
V
V
Department of Medicine III, Klinikum Grosshadern, University of Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Stemmler
H J
HJ
Wohlrab
A
A
Bosse
D
D
Losem
C
C
Kahlert
S
S
Rauthe
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D043823:Taxoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D018943:Anthracyclines; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds; D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; C080625:taxane; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine