title: Epirubicin-vinorelbine intravenous combination followed by oral vinorelbine as first-line treatment in metastatic breast cancer.
abstract: Epirubicin and vinorelbine are considered active drugs in metastatic breast cancer. The optimal duration of a chemotherapy regimen for metastatic breast cancer patients is still unknown. Nevertheless, epirubicin has a dose-limiting cardiotoxicity. Vinorelbine is also available as oral formulation. In a multicenter phase II study, we analyzed the feasibility and the efficacy of a maximum of six cycles of i.v. epirubicin plus vinorelbine, followed by oral vinorelbine. We enrolled 30 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Each patient received epirubicin (75 mg/m2 on day 1) and vinorelbine (25 mg/m2 on days 1-8), every 3 weeks, for three cycles or six cycles in case of objective response or stable disease. When a clinical benefit was obtained, patients received oral vinorelbine (60 mg/m2 on days 1-8 every 3 weeks for three cycles). The regimen demonstrated to be active and well tolerated in metastatic breast cancer, and 6-8 months represented the optimal treatment duration. Maintenance therapy with oral vinorelbine was feasible, effective, safe and well accepted by the patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiotherapy and Medical Oncology, San Gerardo dei Tintori Hospital, Monza, Milan, Italy. a.ardizzoia@hsgerardo.org
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ardizzoia
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aglione
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Isa
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scanni
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scognamiglio
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertolini
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: Gianstefano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gardani
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077235:Vinorelbine
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D015251:Epirubicin; D014747:Vinblastine; D000077235:Vinorelbine