A WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF EPIRUBICIN IN PRETREATED ADVANCED BREAST-CANCER

Aims: Epirubicin is an analogue of doxorubicin with a similar activity but less toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of a weekly schedule of epirubicin. Methods: Fif ty-three patients with metastatic breast cancer, pretreated and/or wit h a low performance status, were treated with 25 mg/m2/week of the dru g. Results: Of the 49 evaluable patients, 3 achieved a complete respon se (6.1 %) and 21 a partial response (42.8 %) with a median duration o f 6.3 months. Median survival was significantly higher in responders t han in nonresponders: 15.2 vs 6.0 months (P < 0.005). Furthermore, a m arked improvement in performance status was observed (ECOG scale). No cardiologic toxicity was observed, and gastrointestinal toxicity was l ow. Conclusions. Epirubicin administered weekly represent a valid alte rnative to conventional treatments.