CHRONIC ORAL ETOPOSIDE IN ADVANCED BREAST-CANCER

Chronic oral etoposide has shown activity in some metastatic refractor y tumors. To test its activity in previously treated metastatic breast cancer patients, we started a study in 18 consecutive patients given etoposide orally at 50 mg/m(2) daily for 21 days. A partial response w as observed in 4 of 18 patients (22%); of the responding patients, 3 h ad visceral metastases and 1 had multiple bone metastases. Leukopenia of grade 3 or 4 was the main hematological toxic effect (23% of patien ts) and alopecia was the most important nonhematological toxicity. Chr onic oral etoposide shows some activity in pretreated patients with me tastatic breast cancer, with tolerance being good and toxicity, accept able. Further studies of this drug given as first-line chemotherapy or in combination with other drugs can establish all its potential activ ity in this cancer.