ACCELERATED CHEMOTHERAPY WITH MITOXANTRONE PLUS G-CSF IN HEAVILY PRETREATED PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC BREAST-CANCER

Twenty-two women with metastatic breast cancer, previously submitted t o one or more lines of chemotherapy, were treated with mitoxantrone as single agent delivered at full dosage (14 mg/m(2)) every other week ( accelerated chemotherapy). This dose was possible with concomitant sub cutaneous administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-C SF) on days 5 to 12 of each 14 day cycle. Although grade III-IV leukop enia, anemia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 50%, 13%, and 27% o f cases, respectively, a complete recovery of neutrophils, due to G-CS F administration, permitted on time cycle delivery in the majority of cases. Partial response was observed in 6/22 patients (27%). In conclu sion, accelerated chemotherapy with mithoxantrone plus G-CSF is both f easible and effective for patients with previously treated breast canc er.