The addition of paclitaxel to continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil is an active regimen for metastatic breast cancer

Metastatic breast cancer is commonly thought to be incurable. Treatment adv ances have resulted in increased response rates, although such responses ar e often more palliative than curative. A regimen of continuous infusion 5-f luorouracil (5FU) or continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil with paclitaxel was studied in patients with metastatic breast cancer and measurable disease. The induction therapy preceded high-dose ifosfamide, carboplatin, and melph alan in a phase I-II trial. Eighty-seven patients were enrolled in the tria l. Forty-five received continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil as induction and 42 received 5-fluorouracil and paclitaxel. The single agent, continuous inf usion 5-fluorouracil cohort had one complete response (2%) and eight partia l responses (18%). The combination continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil and 3 -hour paclitaxel regimen produced four complete responses (10%) and 17 part ial responses (40%). The combination regimen of continuous infusion 5-fluor ouracil with bolus paclitaxel was well tolerated and with a 50% response ra te, is an active regimen for women with metastatic breast cancer.