title: Combined Chemotherapy with Mitomycin C, Folinic Acid, and 5-Fluorouracil (MiFoFU) as Salvage Treatment for Patients with Liver Metastases from Breast Cancer - a Retrospective Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the activity and tolerability of a combined chemotherapy with mitomycin C, folinic acid, and 5-fluorouracil (MiFoFU) in patients with hepatic metastases from breast cancer, and in particular in patients with impaired liver function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied the charts of 44 patients who were treated with a MiFoFU combination therapy because of progressive metastatic breast cancer. Predominant site of metastases was the liver. Primary endpoints were response and time to progression (TTP); secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and tolerability. RESULTS: Median age prior to treatment was 59 years. A median of 6 treatment cycles were administered per patient. Clinical benefit rate amounted to 64%. A mean TTP of 9 months and a mean OS of 14 months were found. Main clinical signs of nonhematological toxicity were stomatitis, nausea, and diarrhea. Grade III/IV hematotoxicity was seen in only 9 patients. 16 patients showed clinical signs of liver dysfunction. A clinical benefit could be achieved in 8 of these patients. CONCLUSION: MiFoFU combination chemotherapy is a well-tolerated treatment alternative in the palliative therapy of patients with liver metastases from breast cancer. Particularly in patients with hepatic dysfunction, this regimen seems to represent a helpful treatment option.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael H R
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Eichbaum
authors.forename: Anne-Sybil
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Gast
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bruckner
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schneeweiss
authors.forename: Christof
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sohn