METHOTREXATE, MITOXANTRONE, 5-FLUOROURACIL AND LEUCOVORIN IN METASTATIC BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS

We have evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of a chemotherapy consisti ng of methotrexate, mitoxantrone, 5-Fluorouracil and leucovorin in 21 advanced breast cancer patients. Among 20 evaluable patients, objectiv e response was obtained in 6 patients (30%) with two complete response s, stable disease in 4 patients (20%), while 10 patients (50%) progres sed. Median progression-free survival and survival were 10 and 15 mont hs, respectively. The most frequently observed side-effects were myelo suppression and emesis; one patient, who had previously received doxor ubicin at the maximum dose-limiting cardiac toxicity, died of congesti ve heart failure after the third cycle. This treatment is moderately e ffective for advanced breast cancer patients.